Good Guy With a Gun Charged for Carrying Without a Permit After Justified Self-Defense Shooting

Last November, a man legally shot a woman in self-defense and he recently got his award from the State of Wisconsin.

Marie Wilson was involved in a melee outside a gas station in Green Bay, Wisconsin last November when she tried to shoot at a group of women who were fighting. A bystander named Jaylene Edwards told police he was “observing” the situation and, “was in fear that Wilson would start shooting everyone” when she retrieved a gun and began waving it around. He then drew his handgun and fired multiple shots, killing Wilson.

A Brown County District Attorney press release issued last month said, “The physical altercation seemed to largely involve female combatants, some of whom were in possession of weapons that appeared to be bats, brass knuckles, and pepper spray.”

In his statement, Edwards stated that he had seen Wilson get a gun, rack and load the gun, and then wave the pistol around and point the gun at him. Edwards stated that he was giving her benefit of the doubt. Edwards stated that at this time, some of the females were still fighting. Edwards stated Wilson began to point the gun at the girls who were fighting and everyone else standing around. Edwards stated that he removed his weapon from his right hip, took aim, removed the safety, and fired an unknown number of times. Edwards stated he wanted to protect himself and everyone else in the area as he was scared for his life and everyone else’s life. Edwards stated that he was in fear that Wilson would start shooting everyone.

Based on Edwards’ voluntary statement to police following the shooting, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee concluded the evidence backs up Edwards’ claim of justifiable self-defense, so no charges will be filed against him in Wilson’s death.

However, ten days later, Edwards was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

The criminal complaint against Edwards indicates that “Detective [Jason] Lieck asked Edwards about the Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun. Edwards indicated he bought it two weeks ago off the streets of Milwaukee and that he bought it for protection. Edwards stated the gun was on his right hip and was concealed under his coat. Edwards stated he does not have a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit.”

The criminal complaint states that, “On November 16, 2021, at about 3:45 p.m., Detective Leick reports Edwards arrived at the Green Bay Police Department and spoke with investigators.” There’s no mention of Edwards having an attorney with him at the time. If there’s a lesson here, it’s that you should never talk to the police until you have an attorney present. Period.

The district attorney deemed Edwards’ actions justifiable, but now he’s the one defending himself in court.