Vaughn Boatner, 33, slid under a partially open garage door at his ex-girlfriend's home in Hayward, California. Inside, their 5-year-old son was watching "A Minecraft Movie" in one of the rooms.Boatner entered the garage where Monique Aldridge, 30, stood with her boyfriend Jacques Jackson Fields. Boatner shot Aldridge seven times in the head, killing her. He then shot Fields in the face and mouth.Fields survived despite losing multiple teeth and part of his jaw. Despite his injuries, he grabbed Aldridge's son and locked him in a closet to keep him safe. Officers arrived to find two victims suffering from gunshot wounds and a 5-year-old child unharmed inside the residence. Aldridge was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed she was in the early stages of pregnancy.Boatner fled. The San Mateo County Community College District sent an alert to students and staff that Boatner was wanted for murder. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a $10,000 reward for his arrest.Eleven days later, on May 22, 2023, U.S. Marshals arrested Boatner in Seattle, Washington. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, child abuse, and gun enhancements. With enhancements, Boatner faced 50 years to life for murder and 32 years to life for attempted murder.Boatner did not go to trial. Instead, he accepted a plea deal with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. He pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and attempted murder. In exchange, the murder charge and child abuse charge were dropped.On March 19, 2025, Boatner was sentenced to 35 years in prison—not the 50 to life he faced for murder. He is awaiting transfer to a state prison.FAIR USE DISCLAIMER:This video is created for educational and commentary purposes under Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107). All footage, images, and audio clips are used solely for transformative critique, analysis, and public interest reporting. We do not own the rights to any copyrighted materials shown. All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.⚠️ Contains discussion of domestic violence homicide. Viewer discretion is advised.🔔 Subscribe to Beyond Guilty👍 Like to support our research💬 Should plea deals reduce murder to manslaughter in cases like this? Comment belowVaughn Boatner, Monique Aldridge, Jacques Jackson Fields, Hayward California, voluntary manslaughter, plea deal, pregnant victim, domestic violence murder, true crime 2025, Beyond Guilty, Alameda County, San Mateo, garage shooting, child witness, boyfriend survived, Seattle arrest, U.S. Marshals