A 36-year-old convicted felon from Ocala was arrested after he allegedly shot his girlfriend in the back while chasing after her at a local motel and hid the gun beneath an I-75 underpass.
On Saturday, October 19, the Ocala Police Department arrested Donald Lorenzo Roberts, Jr. in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at the Motel 6 located at 3810 NW Blitchton Road.
According to OPD, Roberts allegedly “chased and shot” his girlfriend as she attempted to flee from him on the second floor of the motel. When officers responded to the incident location, they found the female victim, who had sustained a gunshot wound to her back.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the shooting.
While canvassing the area surrounding the motel, an OPD officer spotted Roberts near the Interstate 75 overpass. The officer made contact with Roberts and detained him in handcuffs. OPD stated that Roberts initially “gave a fake name,” though he was quickly identified by police.
During a search of the I-75 overpass, an officer found a revolver that was hidden in its upper section.
Roberts was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, firing a weapon in public, tampering with evidence, and providing a false name to a law enforcement officer.
In addition, Roberts had several felony warrants for his arrest on the following charges: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (two counts) and domestic battery by strangulation.
On Tuesday, November 19, Roberts is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.