A man who authorities allege shot and killed his girlfriend in Renton has made his first appearance in court after being charged with Murder in the Second Degree with a domestic violence designation.

Thirty-eight-year old Burien man, Vaugn A. Weems was arrested in Seattle on Oct. 1. Police have been looking for Weems ever since the death of his girlfriend, Montisha M. Offord, on Aug. 21.

According to the charging documents, a witness saw the couple arguing at Cheers Bar and Grill in Renton as they left the establishment. The witness was later called to pick up Offord after Weems allegedly kicked her out of his car.

Offord was driven by the witness to the Echo Mountain Apartments where Weems had been parked in his car. Offord approached the car and at around 2am that morning, an additional witness watched them argue in the parking lot.

According to police documents, Offord threatened Weems with mace before he shot her once in the chest and left the scene. She was pronounced dead an hour later from her wounds.

The defendant’s next court date is a second appearance, scheduled in the King County jail courtroom on October 6 at 2:30 PM.