Son accused of mistakenly killing his mother
OLIVETTE, Mo. (KSDK) - A Missouri man is behind bars for allegedly fatally shooting his mother in their home last week.
The attorney for Jaylen Johnson says his client believed his mother Monica McNichols-Johnson was an intruder.
“I got a frantic call from Monica’s father telling me what happened,” attorney Will Goldstein said.
It was a call for help, and Goldstein answered to assist a family he’s known for several years.
“They are a very nice family,” Goldstein described.
Goldstein is now representing the 25-year-old.
On Thursday morning, police arrived to Huron Drive in Olivette. Police say a woman was found with a gunshot wound and paramedics attempted lifesaving measures, but McNichols-Johnson died at the scene.
That very same day, prosecutors charged her son Johnson with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.
“Jaylen thought there was an intruder coming from the backdoor and he fired shots, and this thing is all tragic and he hasn’t stopped crying since,” Goldstein claimed.
Police said they believe the defendant poses a danger to the community based on the context of this shooting, but more details were not disclosed.
“As long as we have this easy accessibility to guns in the community, whether for good or bad, whether to just defend your premises or whatnot, unfortunately things like this happen,” Goldstein added.
Safe Connections works to reduce relationship violence, which can look different in multiple scenarios.
“I think it’s hard to know who to turn to when you’re in a situation like this,” a representative with Safe Connections said. “First of all, do you want people to know maybe there are some feelings of shame?”
They want to remind people there is always help.
“No one thinks this is going to happen to them, and we hope it doesn’t, so please reach out before it reaches a point of grave danger,” she added. “Reach out when you’re getting concerned and when things are starting to feel out of control or just not right.”
Johnson is being held on a $100,000 bond. He’s due back in court for a bond review on Wednesday.
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