Queens Woman Found Shot to Death After 911 Assault Call; Investigation Underway
QUEENS, NY — A 911 call reporting an assault in progress led police to a shocking discovery in Queens late Friday night, where a young woman was found dead from a gunshot wound.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m. inside a building on 96th Street, between Astoria Boulevard and 30th Avenue. Responding officers with the New York City Police Department arrived to find 21-year-old Dashanna Donovan with a gunshot wound to the head.
Emergency personnel pronounced Donovan dead at the scene.
Details of the Case
Authorities said the call initially came in as an assault in progress, but when police entered the location, it quickly became clear that the situation was far more severe. Detectives have not released further details about what may have led to the shooting or whether Donovan and the suspect knew one another.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. Police have been canvassing the neighborhood, speaking with residents, and reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses and residences.
Community in Shock
Neighbors expressed deep concern and sadness upon learning of the killing, noting that the stretch of 96th Street is usually quiet at night.
“Something like this just shakes you,” one resident said. “To think that a young woman, only 21, lost her life right here—it’s devastating.”
Community advocates say Donovan’s death highlights the continued toll of gun violence in New York City, particularly among young people whose lives are cut short before they’ve had a chance to fully begin.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not announced a motive in the case, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Those who may have seen or heard anything around the time of the shooting are asked to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Crime Stoppers website or via the NYPD app.
As the investigation continues, Donovan’s family and friends are left grieving a life taken far too soon.
