Zaniya Dawkins, 18, was killed by gunfire after an early-morning shooting outside the LA 42 Nightclub on East Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut. She had celebrated her eighteenth birthday two weeks earlier, was training to become a registered nurse and worked as a nail technician. Her father said she was not the intended target and was struck by a stray bullet.

Shortly after midnight on July 5, 2026, shots were fired while Zaniya was with friends. A 22-year-old man, Trey-Von Dunbar, was also struck; he died after arriving at the hospital. Zaniya was transported to the hospital and died of her injuries on July 6, 2026. The club subsequently surrendered its liquor license and closed.

The Waterbury Police Department’s investigation remains active; no arrests or publicly identified suspects have been announced. If anyone was at the scene or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.