NYPD probes whether gunman who ambushed and killed 21-year-old in Queens was her abusive ex from out of state
Investigators identify a person of interest and examine whether the suspect was a former boyfriend from South Carolina who authorities say was abusive
NYPD investigators are examining whether the gunman who ambushed and killed 21-year-old Dashanna Donovan in her Queens apartment was her abusive ex from South Carolina. Donovan, who had recently moved to New York City to live with relatives, was found with multiple gunshot wounds Friday night in East Elmhurst, police said.
Authorities described the sequence as captured on surveillance video. The gunman wore a distinctive Under Armour blue hoodie as he moved through the neighborhood earlier in the evening and suddenly charged Donovan just before 9:20 p.m. She attempted to run, even losing a shoe, and the gunman chased her into a basement where she was shot in the head multiple times. After the attack, investigators said the suspect rode a bus and a train back into Manhattan and did not pay a fare at the Canal Street station.
Police say Donovan’s family helped steer investigators to her ex-boyfriend, a man she dated while living in South Carolina. He is wanted for domestic violence in that state, and detectives identified a person of interest in the Queens case but have not confirmed that he is the former partner. Authorities said there is no probable cause at this stage to declare the ex as the suspect.
Donovan moved to the city about six months ago to live with her grandmother and cousin, seeking to escape an abusive relationship back in South Carolina. Police noted that the two had previously worked together at a Walmart, though Donovan had not filed any domestic violence complaints in New York.
Her mother, Helena Hypolite, recalled Donovan as someone who brightened a room with her smile and humor. Donovan’s employer at a local McDonald’s described her as a dedicated overnight worker who could be counted on to cover shifts. The family still grieves but hopes for answers as investigators review video and track movements in the area.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to examine surveillance footage, gather witnesses, and determine whether the ex-boyfriend’s movements in Queens and Lower Manhattan fit the timeline. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward to the NYPD. Anyone who needs help or more information on domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text START to 88788.