THIS STORY WAS PUBLISHED in partnership withThe Trace, a nonprofit newsroom coveringgun violence.
A close friend in the financial services division, where Dawn worked, saw her crying.
Look at my mouth, Dawn said, according to notes from a law enforcement investigation.
Her husband, Antonio Stewart, had almost broken her jaw, she explained.
Dawn and Rowling had recently discussed getting a restraining order against Stewart.
The three gathered together, and Dawn described her situation.
Russell instructed her to get a restraining order.
About a week after Dawn appeared at work with bruises on her face, Stewart shot and killed her.
So Congress should provide funding for states to adopt risk protection orders.
The laws are now perceived as a Democratic policy.
Dawns death received little news coverage beyond a small item in theBaltimore Sun.
What happened to Dawn is not unusual in America.
Of those and consistent with figures from previous years almost 80 percent of the victims were women.
or You shouldve been at work by now!
He would then call her office phone throughout the day.
Dawns colleagues could not understand what she saw in him.
Stewart was born in Baltimore on November 6, 1979.
He was partly raised by his great uncle, a reverend, who was murdered when he was 15.
She beat him with extension cords, phone cords, and belts.
At the age of eight, Stewart said, he was molested by his cousin.
He felt like his life was going nowhere.
She called the police, who left after he displayed his security badge, he said.
He drank heavily as an adult, and had a history of blackouts.
He had narcissistic traits.
His menacing conduct toward Dawn appeared to be escalating.
He was abusing alcohol, hardly working, and had ready access to a gun.
His marriage was coming apart, and he blamed Dawn.
Its like she just kicked me to the curb, Stewart later told police.
You know, she wasnt trying to meet me halfway or nothing.
The couple got married in 2004. and had been through at least one eviction.
That same year, the family moved to a home on Parkside Drive, in northeast Baltimore.
Hed beaten her up, Shon recalls.
I saw the bruises on her.
Around this time, Shon says, everything escalated.
Stewart would drop by Wendys house unannounced, trying to keep an eye on Dawn.
He was stalking, Shon remembers.
She said she had to call for security, who had to restrain him and force him to leave.
According to investigative notes, Dawn contacted Bayes to inquire about purchasing the firearm.
He told her it was a big weapon, and perhaps not ideal for a woman.
She said she didnt care, but did not buy it.
In retrospect, Bayes told law enforcement, it was clear that she was feeling threatened.
Dawn said she planned to move into her new place on Monday.
The friend told her to stay out of trouble and be careful.
Thanksgiving passed without incident.
On Friday or Saturday night, as Shon remembers it, Stewart knocked on Wendys door.
Dawn wasnt there, and he demanded to know why.
He asked Wendy if she gave Dawn a curfew, Shon says.
Then he called her phone and she didnt answer.
So he got the feeling that she was out with somebody.
On Sunday, November 30, Dawn brought the children to see the Ice Capades skating show.
But on this day, after the event, Dawn decided to do it herself.
Stewart was there and had been drinking vodka and beer.
Around 8:00 p.m., Dawn attempted to call Litia.
She didnt pick up, but soon called her mother back.
Stewart answered, but Litia could hear Dawn in the background.
Hang up and call the police!
He just punched me in the face.
Stewart hung up, and Litia rang the phone again.
When no one answered, she dialed 911.
Litia also called Wendy, and explained what was happening at the Parkside house.
Wendy was down the street with Shon, visiting family.
They rushed over and could hear screaming coming from the house.
Wendy knocked on the front door.
Stewart asked who it was and yelled to wait a minute.
He opened the door and shoved A.J.
Later, in court, she recalled Dawn almost chanting, Wendy help me, he gon kill me.
Wendy help me, he gon kill me.
Then Stewart shut the door.
Shon told Wendy to call the police, but before she could, Stewart called her.
Shon snatched the phone away from his wife and confronted Stewart, who hung up on him.
Then Shon contacted the police.
I can hear her screaming outside the door inside the house from outside.
Stewart had pulled Dawn down into the basement.
He ripped out her hair extensions as they struggled, leaving them strewn about the floor.
Three police officers arrived at the house.
Wendy informed them that Stewart had a gun.
They could hear the wailing and commotion as they approached the front door.
One officer began kicking it, until it gave way on the fourth attempt.
About a second later, everyone heard the amplified cracks of multiple shots fired in rapid succession.
The police and the Palmers scrambled for cover.
A television blared in the background.
Stewart slipped out a backdoor.
Rachel, the baby, was on the living room sofa.
An officer eventually spotted her foot and brought her outside.
Dawn Williams-Stewart was lying in the basement on her stomach.
Shed managed to grab a piece of laundry, and held it against her wound.
Finally, the bullet came to a halt in front of her spine.
The killing was a devastating event for many staffers; the NRA had been swept up in it.
But the public had no idea, insulating the organization from scrutiny.
A jury sent him to prison for 50 years.
He says he never stalked, followed, or harassed Dawn, either.
I would never take away the mother of my children, who I loved dearly, Stewart insists.
I wanted to build an environment for them that I didnt have.
Im very remorseful and sorry.
I was at the end of my rope, he recalls.
Later, he learned his wife was dead.
