In a turn of events, the life of a University of South Carolina junior, Nick Anthony Donofrio, was cut short in the hours of a Saturday morning. The 20-year-old was found dead on the front porch of an off-campus residence on South Holly Street, the victim of a gunshot wound to his upper body. As the community mourns his loss, they reflect on the young man who had a future ahead.

Who was Nick Donofrio?

Nicholas Donofrio’s journey was one of aspiration and potential. His LinkedIn profile revealed his status as a junior, pursuing a degree in exercise science at the University of South Carolina. The Connecticut native had transferred to the university in 2022 after a freshman year of playing basketball at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He had previously graduated from Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut, marking his academic achievements.

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Nick’s passion for learning extended to his major in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Eager to build lasting connections, he was part of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He had moved into a frat house on South Holly Street, the very street where his life was taken. The anticipation of sharing his college experience with friends added an air of excitement to this new chapter of his life.

The circumstances surrounding Nick Donofrio’s passing have left his community grappling for answers. Responding to an initial report of a home burglary, law enforcement soon discovered a deeper tragedy—a young life lost due to a gunshot wound. Preliminary information indicates that Donofrio, who lived on the same street, inadvertently entered the wrong home. The mistaken entry led to a fatal confrontation.

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The impact of Nick’s loss reverberates deeply among his loved ones. His parents, Dina and Louis Donofrio, remember him as a son. A dedicated basketball player during his freshman year at the University of New England, Nick’s transfer to the University of South Carolina marked a new phase in his academic and personal growth.

The University of South Carolina has extended its support to those affected by this loss, offering resources to help cope with the tragedy.