Markia Vaughn, 21, is set to serve 40 years behind bars after pleading guilty on Feb. 25 to shooting a 28-year-old man in Cherry Hill last July.
In exchange for the plea, the state agreed to dismiss Vaughn’s charges of first-degree assault and use of an assault weapon. For her charge of attempted first-degree murder, Vaughn was handed a sentence of life, suspending all but 40 years, to be followed by five years of supervised probation. She also received a concurrent 20 years for using a firearm in commission of the crime.
According to court documents, on the morning of July 11, 2025, officers found the victim on the 3400 block of Spelman Road with multiple gunshot wounds to his left arm and torso. He was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition.
An officer later asked the victim what he was doing in the area with the defendant, and he responded, “I was bringing someone here, that lady.” He showed officers his text messages, claiming he had nothing to hide.
Eleven 9mm shell casings were found near the shooting site. Another officer was able to identify Vaughn as the suspect through Baltimore CitiWatch footage, in which she matched the description given by the victim.
A responding officer commanded Vaughn to walk toward him with her hands raised, advising her of her status as a suspect.
“I know,” she said. The defendant was detained for further questioning. A handgun was found in her purse, along with one empty magazine. At the time, she had been prohibited from owning a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
The defendant pleaded guilty to an attempted first-degree murder charge and firearm use charge, with Defense attorney Jason Rodriguez’s assistance.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong presided over the sentencing.
