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Woman shot five times by ex-boyfriend

The 30-year-old woman, who was shot in both legs and three times in her lower body, is in good condition at Bayfront Medical Center.

By TIMES STAFF
Published April 7, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - A woman caught in the middle of a dispute between her current and former boyfriend was shot five times late Wednesday, police said.

Maria Roberts, 30, was hit by bullets that went through the door of her home on 15th Avenue S, police said. Her former boyfriend and father of their child, 39-year-old Douglas L. Dawson, was arrested on charges of attempted homicide and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The St. Petersburg man was being held without bond in county jail Thursday.

According to police, Dawson called the house to ask his son what he wanted for his birthday but got into an argument with Roberts' boyfriend, Richard Williams, 24.

Dawson showed up at the house shortly before 11 p.m. According to Dawson's statement to police, he said Williams came to the door with a handgun at his side then put the gun down and jumped on him. Claiming self-defense, Dawson said he pulled his own gun, a small caliber semi-automatic, and fired into the house.

Roberts was hit in both legs and three times in her lower body, police said. She was taken to Bayfront Medical Center and was in good condition Thursday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

[Last modified April 7, 2005, 18:21:02]