Tragic accident in Missouri, a 25 year old man mistakenly kills his mother at home, thinking she was an intruder.
A Missouri man, aged 25, claims he confused his mother for an intruder, leading to him fatally shooting her at the back door of their home.
3:38 PM EDT, March 11, 2024
A tragic mistake
Jaylen Johnson has been indicted by prosecutors on charges of manslaughter and armed criminal action following the shooting death of his mother, Monica McNichols-Johnson, on Thursday.
According to ABC News, Jaylen Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Johnson believed his mother was an intruder when she tried to enter the home in the St. Louis suburb of Olivette around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
56-year-old Monica McNichols-Johnson died at the house even though Johnson's girlfriend tried to help her after she was shot, said Olivette police.
Missouri's "stand your ground" legislation permits individuals to lawfully use lethal force if they reasonably perceive themselves to be under threat of a violent assault.
Jaylen's lawyer said the 25-year-old Johnson immediately called 911 after he shot his mother, and he has been distraught ever since.
$100,000 bail
Following the charges, Johnson's bail was established at $100,000. According to Goldstein, he is an ex-college football athlete with a job and a clean criminal record. Goldstein further mentioned that Johnson owned a gun for self-defense, having previously been a victim of an armed robbery.
Source: ABC News, The Guardian, Olivette Police Department
