Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Charged in Shooting Death of Fiancée
TUSTIN, Calif. (KABC) — An Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her fiancée in their Tustin apartment. The incident occurred on August 8, 2025.
Aimee Alexis Hidalgo, 28, turned herself in to Tustin police on Monday, March 10, 2026, after being charged with voluntary manslaughter and personal use of a firearm in the death of 35-year-old Brittany Shaw, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office news release.
Details of the Shooting
According to authorities, Shaw left the couple’s apartment around 5:10 a.m. On August 8, 2025, to walk her dog and returned approximately 10 minutes later. Hidalgo allegedly shot Shaw nine times, including in the torso, right arm and head. The gunshots were reportedly fired from “close intermediate range,” less than eight inches from Shaw’s head ABC7 reports.
Hidalgo immediately called 911 and attempted CPR on Shaw, but was unsuccessful. Shaw was transported to Orange County Global Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigation and Charges
The Orange County District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, stated, “Human life is our most precious gift, and to lose the gift of life in your own home at the hands of someone you were engaged to is an indescribable tragedy.” He emphasized that “the badge is not a shield from prosecution” and that the law applies equally to all, regardless of their position according to the DA’s office.
Hidalgo faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in state prison if convicted. She has been on administrative leave from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department since the incident, having been a deputy since 2021 as reported by CBS.
Victim and Suspect Background
Both Hidalgo and Shaw worked at the Orange County Jail. Shaw was employed by the Orange County Health Care Agency and worked at the Intake Release Center as a correctional health services chief, where she worked with newly booked inmates. She had been with the agency for six years ABC7 reports.
The couple was planning a destination wedding in Mexico in November 2025.