A tragic incident unfolded in Olivette, Missouri, as 25-year-old Jaylen Johnson fatally shot his mother, 56-year-old Monica McNichols-Johnson, allegedly mistaking her for an intruder attempting to enter her own home.
Johnson has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, with prosecutors setting his bond at $100,000.
The heartbreaking event occurred on March 7 when McNichols-Johnson returned home on Huron Drive around 7:30 a.m.
As she entered through the back door, Johnson, reportedly under the impression of an intrusion, opened fire, inflicting mortal wounds on his mother.
Immediately after the shooting, Johnson dialed 911 while his girlfriend rushed to administer first aid.
Despite their efforts, paramedics were unable to revive McNichols-Johnson, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details regarding the number of shots fired or the extent of the victim’s injuries were not disclosed by the authorities.
According to William Goldstein, Johnson’s attorney, the young man was deeply distressed by the tragic turn of events, stating:
“He hasn’t stopped crying.”
Johnson and his mother resided together, and there were no reported prior domestic altercations between them.
Goldstein revealed that Johnson kept a firearm in the house for protection following a previous robbery incident where he was held at gunpoint. Notably, Johnson has no prior criminal record.
While some reports suggest Johnson’s connection to college football, this information could not be independently verified.
Goldstein characterized the shooting as a tragic accident, emphasizing the bond between Johnson and his mother.
“It’s just tragic,” he expressed. “Jaylen loved his mother, and his mother loved him.”
The incident remains under investigation as the community grapples with the devastating loss.
