In the early hours of July 5, 2026, a night of socializing turned tragic outside the LA 42 Night Club on East Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut. Just after midnight, gunfire erupted, shattering the weekend quiet and leaving two young people with fatal injuries. Responding to reports of shots fired, Waterbury police arrived to find a large crowd gathered and discovered 22-year-old Trey-Von Dunbar and 18-year-old Zaniya Dawkins with gunshot wounds.
Both were rushed to local hospitals for emergency treatment, but Dunbar succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Dawkins, who was initially listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, tragically died a day later.
The double homicide stunned the Waterbury community, prompting calls for an end to gun violence. In the days following the shooting, the LA 42 Night Club voluntarily surrendered its liquor license and ceased operations. Friends and family of Dunbar and Dawkins were left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of their loved ones. Dawkins's father remembered his daughter as a loving and caring person with dreams of becoming a nurse, and mentioned that she may have been struck by a stray bullet.
As of the latest available information, the Waterbury Police Department's investigation into the deaths of Trey-Von Dunbar and Zaniya Dawkins remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the shooting. The case stands as a painful and unresolved tragedy for the families of the victims and the wider Waterbury community, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence. The lack of closure in the case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving such violent crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.
