Modesto woman shot in head not expected to live. Boyfriend arraigned in Stanislaus Court

A Modesto man accused of the attempted murder of his girlfriend was arraigned Wednesday, where it was revealed the woman he shot is not expected to live.

Keith Vennema, 47, first hit his girlfriend with a brick and then shot her in the head during an argument.

The shooting happened just before 11 p.m. at the couple’s home on the 500 block of East Roseburg Avenue in Modesto. When deputies arrived, they arrested Vennema on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence and weapons-related charges.

The weapons-related charges later were dropped when it was discovered Vennema legally purchased his weapons cache: nine guns including the one he allegedly used to shoot the woman.

Before he reportedly shot his girlfriend, whose identity had not been released as of Thursday, Vennema allegedly hit her with a brick. After being hit with the brick, the woman called Vennema’s mother, who urged her to call 911. The woman opted not to.

Vennema, who’d grabbed a gun in the meantime, then shot her once in the head, prosecutor Vita Palazuelos argued in court. Prosecutors believe the woman was trying to flee the home when Vennema pulled the trigger.

Judge Robert Westbrook, who presided over the arraignment, initially was going to set Vennema’s bail to $2 million. Palazuelos argued that he should be held without bail, citing concerns over Vennema’s history of domestic violence accusations.

“When we see a pattern of domestic violence, even if it’s uncharged or unreported to law enforcement, but it’s been alleged by numerous women, it’s something we take very seriously,” Palazuelos said.

Though Vennema’s weapons were seized by police after the shooting, Palazuelos said an affinity for firearms and a history of alleged domestic violence are a “fatal combination.”

Vennema’s defense argued that his alleged history of domestic violence was irrelevant and that since his weapons were seized, the argument he could attain one in the future was moot. Vennema’s mental health was questioned by Palazuelos, but Vennema’s defense said it “hasn’t seen any reports” regarding it.

Westbrook ultimately denied Vennema’s bail but did so without prejudice, meaning the judge’s ruling could be challenged in the future.