OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Witness testimonies were heard today in the case of an Ottawa County man accused of shooting his girlfriend in Robinson Township. According to police, the attack ended when their 16-year-old son stabbed Vaughn Smith in the neck while he was over his girlfriend with the weapon. The teen acted in an attempt to save his mother's life.
Ottawa County resident Vaughn Smith is facing multiple felony charges related to a domestic dispute that turned violent in late May, including two counts of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felony firearms and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to officials, they received a 911 call about a domestic disturbance at a home in Robinson Township. On the witness stand a neighbor, Steve F., recalled seeing Smith with a weapon while arguing with his girlfriend. Steve said that moments later, multiple shots were fired.
"Within a short period of time after that, I heard a loud scream from Melissa, and then Mr. Smith pulled the pistol out of his pocket on his sweatshirt," Steve said. "Then, Mr. Smith shot at her point-blank range. I believe it grazed her head."
According to police, the couple's 16-year-old son then stabbed Smith in the neck in an attempt to stop the attack, and ran to a nearby neighbor's house until authorities arrived.
Smith remains in the Ottawa County Jail. His bail is set at $5,000,000 dollars. Investigators say during the shooting, five children were inside the home, but they were not hurt. The children are now living with another family member.