A Hollis man who shot and wounded a woman as he was trying to defend her from an assault by her boyfriend Tuesday night has not been charged, according to police.

Joshua Weldon, 30, fired his handgun multiple times as he tried to help 32-year-old Andria Richardson during the assault outside her home on River Road in Hollis, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. McCausland would not say whether it was an accidental shooting because the case remains under investigation.

State police detectives arrested 30-year-old Ryan Gilliken of Hollis, Richardson’s boyfriend, on Wednesday. He has been charged with domestic violence assault and a second count of assault on Weldon.

McCausland said the altercation took place at a home on River Road in Hollis, also known as Route 35, around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Gilliken shares the home with Richardson and her three young children, who were home when the assault took place, according to state police. Weldon rents an apartment on the property.

Richardson was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland where she underwent surgery. She is expected to recover. Her condition was not available Wednesday evening.

Arrangements have been made for relatives to care for the children.

Gilliken was being held Wednesday evening at the York County Jail in Alfred. Domestic violence assault is a Class C felony. Gilliken has been denied bail pending his initial court appearance.

 

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