Jaylen Johnson: Missouri man robbed at gunpoint fatally shoots his mom after mistaking her for intruder
ST LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI: A 25-year-old Missouri man, Jaylen Johnson was accused of fatally shooting his mother after mistaking her for an intruder breaking into their shared Olivette home on March 7.
Monica Johnson-McNichols, 56, was attempting to enter the back door of the shared home when Johnson shot her, KSDK reported. Jaylen Johnson was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, according to the Olivette Police Department. He's being held on a $100,000 bond and cops believe he poses a threat to the community.
Jaylen Johnson called 911 after fatally shooting his mom
Johnson's attorney, Will Goldstein said about the tragedy, “I got a frantic call from Monica’s father telling me what happened, that Jaylen thought an intruder was coming from the back door and he fired shots."
“This thing is all tragic and he hasn’t stopped crying since. Jaylen loves his mom and his mom loved him … Jaylen immediately called 911 and immediately called his grandfather and said he can’t believe this happened,” Goldstein added.
Goldstein said that Johnson is employed and has no criminal history, adding that he had known the family for a while.
"He was a college athlete, and he’s a man with a bright future. Knowing Monica as I did, she would want nothing more for her son than him to land on his feet and have a good life,” Goldstein said, adding that Johnson carried a gun for protection since he had been robbed at gunpoint in the past, according to the Associated Press.
South Carolina student shot dead after mistaken to be an intruder
In August 2023 a similar incident occured when a University of South Carolina student, Nicholas Donofrio, died after he tried to enter a wrong property while intoxicated.
The incident sparked fear among homeowners and raised concerns among Donofrio's friends who were unable to reach him after a night at a bar. Two 911 calls were made on the night, one from a concerned friend of Donofrio and the other from the homeowner.
The call revealed the events leading up to and following Donofrio's death, as he attempted to enter the wrong house. Donofrio had been knocking, banging, and kicking on the home’s front door while playing around with the door handle.
The homeowner reported a loud bang in the background as Donofrio's partner fired a shot.
No charges were filed against the person who shot Donofrio, as the person legally owned the firearm and was covered by South Carolina's 'Stand Your Ground' law. The law allows deadly force against anyone “unlawfully and forcefully entering” their dwelling.
