COLUMBIA, USA – A tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when a University of South Carolina student was fatally shot after mistakenly attempting to enter the wrong home.
The Columbia Police Department said on Monday, August 28, 2023, the case was initially reported as a home burglary but was later upgraded to a shots-fired call.
Nicholas Donofrio, a 20-year-old sophomore from Connecticut, was found dead on the front porch of a residence on South Holly Street in Columbia, just two miles from campus.
The police report cited a gunshot wound to his upper body as the cause of death.
“Preliminary information indicates that Donofrio, who resided on South Holly Street, attempted to enter the wrong home when he was fatally shot,” the police said in a news release.
The department has not yet released any information about the shooter but stated it would consult prosecutors in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office during the ongoing investigation.
This heartbreaking incident adds to a growing list of similar tragedies across the United States this year.
Just last week, a 16-year-old Missouri teen was shot in the head after ringing the wrong doorbell, while a woman in upstate New York was killed days later when she and her friends pulled into the wrong driveway while headed to a party.
Donofrio’s death could reopen the national debate about homeowners’ rights to use lethal force to defend their property.
South Carolina is among at least 28 states and Puerto Rico with a “stand your ground” law, which generally allows individuals to use force, without the fear of prosecution, in response to a perceived threat in places where they have the right to be, including their homes.
“The question this tragedy raises is how far can one go in the name of self-defense, especially in a country with more guns than people,” said Martha Nelson, a legal expert on gun laws.
The University of South Carolina stated that student affairs personnel were “providing resources and support to those who may be affected by this tragedy.” The university also reminded students that help is always available to them.
As the nation grapples with its gun culture and the legal boundaries of self-defense, this latest incident serves as a poignant reminder of the lethal consequences that can result from misunderstandings.
Legal experts and social commentators are closely watching the case, as its outcome could have significant implications for future discussions on gun rights and homeowners’ responsibilities.
