Missouri Man Shoots and Kills Mother After Mistaking Her for Intruder — 'He Hasn’t Stopped Crying Since'

A man in Missouri is behind bars after he allegedly shot and killed his mother when he thought she was an intruder coming into the back door of the home they shared, according to authorities.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told KSDK that Monica McNichols-Johnson, 56, died at the scene in Olivette on March 7.

Her son, 25-year-old Jaylen Johnson, was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, officials said.

He was booked into jail and was being held on a $100,000 bond, according to police, who said they believe Johnson posed a danger to the community.

However, Johnson’s attorney, Will Goldstein, disagreed.

“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,” Goldstein told KSDK. “This thing is all tragic and he hasn’t stopped crying since. Jaylen loved his mom and his mom loved him … Jaylen immediately called 911 and immediately called his grandfather and said he can’t believe this happened.”

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Goldstein noted that Johnson is employed and has no criminal history. He added, “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.”

Johnson had a gun for protection after he’d been robbed at gunpoint, the Associated Press reported.

Johnson is scheduled for a bond review on March 13.