In a tragic turn of events, a 25-year-old Missouri man is facing charges of manslaughter and armed criminal action after fatally shooting his own mother. The incident occurred at their residence in the St Louis suburb of Olivette on Thursday morning.

Prosecutors have identified the accused as Jaylen Johnson, a former college football player with no prior criminal history. Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein, revealed that his client believed his mother, Monica McNichols-Johnson, was an intruder when she attempted to enter their home through the back door at approximately 7:30 am.

The Olivette police responded swiftly to the distress call placed by Johnson, finding McNichols-Johnson, aged 56, gravely wounded at the scene. Despite efforts from Johnson's girlfriend to render aid, McNichols-Johnson succumbed to her injuries and tragically lost her life.

Goldstein spoke to the St Louis Post-Dispatch, sharing that Johnson was devastated by the incident and has been inconsolable. "He hasn't stopped crying," Goldstein lamented. The attorney also shed light on the fact that Johnson had previously been robbed at gunpoint, leading him to keep a firearm for self-protection.

This heart-wrenching incident comes less than a year after another shooting transpired in Missouri. On April 13, 84-year-old Andrew Lester mistakenly shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl after the teenager rang the wrong doorbell while picking up his siblings.

After being charged, Johnson appeared before a judge who set his bail at $100,000. Despite the charges, Goldstein emphasized that his client is employed and had no intention to cause harm to his mother.

The community of Olivette, still reeling from the shock, mourns the loss of McNichols-Johnson, a former educator and beloved member of the community. As the legal process unfolds, they are left grappling with questions of vigilance, the importance of self-defense, and the devastating consequences of mistaken identity.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, hoping to shed more light on the circumstances that led to this tragic event and seeking justice for the grief-stricken family.