Man receives sentencing for shooting girlfriend during paternity dispute

A Michigan man who shot his girlfriend during an argument about the paternity of one of their children learned his fate during a sentencing hearing on Friday.

Vaughn Smith, who was 35 years old at the time of the shooting, sobbed in court during his sentencing hearing. Almost a full year after the May 2024 altercation between Smith and his girlfriend, whose name was being kept private, Smith stood before a judge as he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit murder and two firearms charges. In addition to his admitting to the crime, his girlfriend also asked for leniency.

But ultimately, it was up to the judge.

According to reporting by local ABC affiliate WZZM, Smith and his then-34-year-old girlfriend had been arguing for several days. The series of verbal altercations culminated in an admission by the girlfriend that he was not the father of one of the children they shared.

On the night of May 23, 2024, Smith shot his girlfriend twice — once in the head and once in the leg — and was tackled by her 16-year-old son, who then stabbed him while defending his mother. A neighbor witnessed the incident and called 911.

While the girlfriend was being interviewed at the hospital, she reportedly told police that Smith threatened “to blow her brains out.”

The girlfriend eventually recovered, and Smith was booked into the Ottawa County Jail.

On April 18, Smith entered a plea of guilty and sobbed while expressing deep remorse. He told Judge Jon H. Hulsing and the court, “I made a terrible decision that day, a terrible decision that day, your honor. And it came from me being hurt just hearing my daughter wasn’t mine. That hurt me so bad, and other infidelities that we’ve been sweeping under the rug. We both need counseling, your honor. We both need counseling.”

Smith’s girlfriend also stood up for him, telling Hulsing, “Please show some mercy for a man who was learning to be a better person, a father and a businessman.”

While Hulsing said that he believed Smith was genuine in his remorse, saying that “obviously carries some weight.” But given the nature of the crime, Hulsing imposed a stiff sentence — nearly 30 years in prison with a maximum of 75 years, with credit for time served.

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