Mom Cleared After Shooting Escaped Lab Monkey

A Mississippi mother can finally breathe easy. Jessica Bond Ferguson, who recently shot an escaped research monkey that entered her backyard, will not face any charges. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that Ferguson acted lawfully in protecting her children.

A Fearful Encounter

The incident occurred after a truck transporting 21 monkeys from a Tulane research lab overturned in Jasper County. While authorities managed to recover most of the primates, three went missing. Ferguson encountered one of these escaped monkeys in her backyard and, fearing for her children’s safety, made the difficult decision to shoot it.

Sheriff Randy Johnson stated that Ferguson ‘feared for her kids’ safety,’ defending her actions even though the monkey wasn’t displaying overt aggression at the time. A video of the event shows the primate falling from a tree after being shot. Ferguson expressed that she wished there had been another way but felt compelled to protect her children ‘at all costs.’

Community Concerns and Official Response

Of the three monkeys that initially escaped, five were killed by deputies, two were shot by locals like Ferguson, and one remains unaccounted for. Despite assurances from Tulane officials that the monkeys were not infected, community concerns linger due to the potential for primates to carry diseases such as herpes, Hepatitis C, and even COVID-19.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife has confirmed they are not pursuing any action against Ferguson. The sheriff echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that residents were simply trying to protect their families in a frightening situation. This decision highlights the legal principle of self-defense when faced with perceived threats to personal safety.