Jaylen Johnson (St. Louis County Justice Center) and the home where he allegedly killed his mother (KSDK).
A 25-year-old man in Missouri was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his own mother, saying he believed she was an intruder as she tried to get in the back door of the home where they both lived. Jaylen Johnson was taken into custody last week and charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of armed criminal action in the slaying of 56-year-old Monica Johnson-McNichols, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Olivette Police Department, officers at about 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, responded to an emergency call regarding a shooting the occurred at a residence located in the 9600 block of Huron Drive, which is about 10 miles west of St. Louis.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found a female victim — later identified as Johnson-McNichols — suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Olivette paramedics arrived a short while later and attempted to resuscitate the victim but she succumbed to her injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Charging documents from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office state that Johnson “knowingly or with the purpose of causing serious physical injury” caused the death of his mother with the “assistance or aid of a deadly weapon.”
“During the early morning hours of March 7, 2024, the suspect, Jaylen Johnson, shot and killed Monica McNichols-Johnson while she was trying to gain entry to the residence,” the filing states. Police also wrote that they believe Johnson “poses a danger to the community.”
Defense attorney Will Goldstein, Johnson’s defense attorney, told St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK that he has known Johnson’s family for a long time and said that the fatal shooting was an accident
“I got a frantic call from Monica (Johnson-McNichols’) father telling me what happened that Jaylen (Johnson) 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 (Johnson) loves his mom and his mom loved him,” Goldstein told the station. “Jaylen (Johnson) immediately called 911 and immediately called his grandfather and said he can’t believe this happened.”
Goldstein reportedly also noted that Johnson — a former college football player — kept a firearm at the house because he had previously been robbed at gunpoint.
“I can tell you he’s a mess right now,” Goldstein continued. “He’s employed and has no criminal history. He was a college athlete and he’s a man with a bright future. Knowing Monica (Johnson-McNichols) as I did, she would want nothing more for her son than him to land on his feet and have a good life
Records indicate that Johnson was released from St. Louis County Jail after posting bond of $100,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again on March 13 for a bond review hearing.
