NYPD investigates connection to South Carolina in murder case of Queens woman

A tragic incident has resulted in the death of a 21-year-old woman in Queens, New York, whose attempts to escape her attacker turned fatal. Dashanna Donovan was shot in the head and upper body within her apartment complex located on 96th Street near Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst on September 12. Authorities indicate that in her desperate effort to flee, she even lost her shoes while running from her assailant.

According to police reports, Donovan recognized her attacker and attempted to find refuge in the basement of her building. Surveillance footage captured the shooter pursuing her moments before the violent act, suggesting that the individual may have been stalking her prior to the incident. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny noted that the gunman was seen in the vicinity for over two hours before the crime, indicating he may have had prior knowledge of her presence in the area.

At the time of her death, Donovan was residing with her grandmother and aunt. She had relocated from South Carolina six months prior, seeking to escape an abusive relationship with a former boyfriend. Investigators are exploring the possibility that her murder is connected to this past domestic violence, as both individuals had operated together at a local Walmart, where past incidents had resulted in police involvement.

On the evening of the shooting, Donovan had just finished her shift at a nearby McDonald’s and was relaxing when she was confronted. Reports indicate that she was found mortally wounded in a basement hallway and pronounced dead at the scene. Detective Kenny described her frantic attempts to escape, acknowledging the sheer terror she experienced at that moment.

The assailant, identified by a distinctive blue Under Armour hoodie, was tracked using surveillance footage on public transportation, eventually leading investigators back to lower Manhattan. The NYPD has encouraged community members with any relevant information to report to Crime Stoppers, ensuring that all calls remain confidential.

As the investigation continues, Donovan’s family is grappling with the loss of a vibrant person described by her mother as “truly special.” In light of this harrowing situation, the community is left shaken and calling for justice while police intensify efforts to apprehend the suspect involved.