A Mississippi mom shot dead one of the aggressive monkeys that escaped from an overturned truck last week to protect her young children.

Jessica Bond Ferguson said she and other Heidelberg residents had been on high alert after word spread that monkeys — believed to be carrying dangerous diseases but later confirmed by officials not to be — had been roaming loose since Tuesday.

Early Sunday morning, her 16-year-old son ran into the house, claiming he had seen one of the animals in the yard.

The 35-year-old mother of five — whose children range from 4 to 16 — said she jumped out of bed, grabbed her gun and phone, and went outside after calling police.

About 60 feet away from her home, she said she spotted the monkey and chose to take matters into her own hands to ensure her children

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