Ex-college football player shot, killed his mother by accident
A former college football player shot and killed his mother by accident when he mistakenly thought she was an intruder into his home.
Jaylen Johnson has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for shooting Monica McNichols-Johnson after he thought she was someone trying to break into his house, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Olivette (Mo.) police said that McNichols-Johnson died despite attempts by her son and his girlfriend to help her after she was shot and efforts by the paramedics.
Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein, said Johnson immediately called 911 after he shot his mother, and has been in shock since the incident.
"He hasn't stopped crying," Goldstein said.
Johnson is a former college football player who is currently employed and has no criminal history. He kept a gun for his protection after he was previously robbed at gunpoint, his lawyer said.
"Just a sweetheart of a kid," Goldstein said of Johnson.
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