Slain Boy's Stepfather Opened Fire At Graduation Party

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Prosecutors say the stepfather of a 14-year-old boy shot to death at a graduation party opened fire on partygoers he thought were harassing the boy and his brother.

Keith Dawson of St. Paul was charged Monday with a drive-by shooting, assault with a dangerous weapon and illegal possession of a gun in connection with his alleged role in the chain of events that left Demaris Nathan Hobbs-Ekdahl dead Saturday.

According to court documents, Hobbs-Ekdahl called his stepfather because he and his 16-year-old brother were arguing with two people at the party.

Dawson rushed to the party and opened fire on the brothers' adversaries, who returned fire and fatally wounded Hobbs-Ekdahl.