Authorities are looking into the possibility that the gunman who fatally shot a 21-year-old woman in a Queens apartment may be her abusive ex-boyfriend from South Carolina.
Dashana Donovan was discovered lying in a pool of blood on Friday evening, around 9:20 PM.
Surveillance footage shows her moving around and sitting in an open courtyard behind a building near 96th and 31st Streets. Suddenly, she notices a man rushing toward her.
“Her reaction suggests she recognized the assailant. The suspect had his left arm extended with a gun,” a police spokesperson stated.
Dashana attempted to flee the scene, even abandoning her shoes in her hurried escape and trying to enter a basement for safety.
Police later identified a suspect wearing a distinctive blue Under Armour hoodie, who was seen walking around the area before taking a bus and train back to Manhattan without paying for his fare at Canal Street Station.
“All signs point to Queens,” an NYPD official commented. After working with Donovan’s family, investigators focused on her former boyfriend, whom she had dated while living in South Carolina.
Dashana had reportedly moved to New York just six months ago to escape an abusive relationship. Her ex-boyfriend has a history of domestic violence in South Carolina. They had previously worked together at Walmart, according to police.
While authorities have identified various persons of interest, they have not yet confirmed that one of them is her ex-boyfriend. “It’s a possibility we’re considering, but nothing is confirmed yet,” the spokesperson explained.
Despite concerns, Donovan had not filed any complaints regarding her ex while she was in New York, officials confirmed.
Her mother, Helena Hypolite, expressed anguish, stating, “I heard she saw the person and ran, so it’s someone she knew. But who? That remains a mystery.”
“I’m hurt. I feel like a part of me is missing,” her devastated mother added.
Donovan had been contacted by her McDonald’s manager around 11 PM on Friday, asking her to cover a shift the next day, unaware that she had already passed away.
“Everyone praised her work ethic. She typically worked overnight from 5 PM to 1 AM,” the spokesperson shared.
Originally from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Donovan loved to dance and enjoyed her mother’s chicken curry, her mom fondly recalled. “Her smile… it lit up the room. She always had a great sense of humor,” she said softly.
If you or someone you know is affected by similar issues, reach out to the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text 88788.
