A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of his girlfriend who was pregnant with twins.

The May 2021 shooting occurred while three children were inside the Mesa home, authorities said.

Michael Owen Foster pleaded guilty to manslaughter, according to a release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Mesa police officers responded to a domestic violence call at the couple’s home where they found the victim dead in an upstairs bedroom. Foster, who was outside the home when officers arrived, admitted to being involved in an argument with the victim before the shooting occurred, the release stated.

It was later confirmed that the victim was pregnant with twins at the time of her death.

“Throughout the investigation, Foster gave conflicting accounts of what led to the shooting. Forensic evidence and witness statements contradicted several of his claims, ultimately confirming his direct role in the fatal act,” the release stated.

“A mother, her unborn twins, and a family were destroyed by one violent, reckless act,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.