A Mississippi mother says she shot and escaped a monkey to protect her children

A Mississippi mother said she shot and killed one of the monkeys that escaped after a truck overturned last week, fearing they were a threat to her children and others on her property.

Jessica Bond Ferguson told the Associated Press on Sunday that her 16-year-old son asked her about Monkey running in the yard of their home near Heidelberg. Bond Ferguson said he grabbed his cell phone and gun before going outside and saw the animal about 60 meters away.

Bond Ferguson, a 35-year-old chef, said he opened fire without concern for the safety of his children.

“I did what any mother would do to protect her children,” said the five children, ages 4 to 16. “I said again, and he groaned, and he fell again when he fell when he fell.”

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The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sunday that a homeowner found one of the monkeys that escaped from their property this morning. In a social media post, the Sheriff’s Office said the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Parks has taken custody of the animal but did not provide further details.

Before Bond Ferguson went outside, he said he called the police and was told to watch out for the monkey. But he hesitated, worried that if it went away, it might be dangerous for the children in the house nearby.

Debris was seen near the scene of the accident in Mississippi, as authorities tracked the animals on Tuesday, Oct. 2025, Heidelberg, don’t miss it. (Photo courtesy of Scotty Ray Report)

“If it attacked someone else’s child, and I couldn’t stop it, that would be too much for me,” said Bond Ferguson. “It’s kind and dangerous that they’re running around, and people have kids playing in their yards.”

A truck transporting rhesus monkeys overturned Tuesday on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, setting off a days-long search for the escaped animals.

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According to Tulane University, 13 monkeys were found at the crash site and were successfully transported to their destination last week. Five were killed during the search effort, and three remained at large until one was found Sunday by the homeowner, officials said.

Two Rhesus monkeys remain nearby Monday, with authorities warning residents the Firsts are “aggressive.” (Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi)

The monkeys were housed at the Tulane National Primate Center in New Orleans, which provides housing for scientific research organizations. In a statement, Tulane clarified that the animals were owned by the University, and were not transported by University employees.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnjonury said initial reports from residents of the trucks warned that the monkeys were dangerous and could carry diseases. However, Tulane officials later confirmed that the monkeys had recently received a health check and were pathogen-free.

People in search of clothing and high street in Heidelberg, you missed. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates)

Despite that, Johnson noted that authorities discuss the animals as threatened by their aggressive nature and said they need to be “neutral.”

The status of the two remaining monkeys is still unclear even in the latest update.

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The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred about 100 miles from Jackson, the state capital.

The accompanying device contributed to this report.