Woman Who Killed Ex-Boyfriend in Self Defense, Speaking Out

Self-defense and justified: that's what the Saline County prosecutor says of a shooting in Bryant last month. A woman there shot and killed her ex-boyfriend, all to save herself.

Jajuan Legate was hesitant to talk on camera today but decided to contact me because her story could help someone else.

She'd been with her boyfriend Keith Brown for over 2 years. She saw some warning signs, but it was only when she tried to leave him, that she realized how dangerous he was.

In July, he pulled a gun and threatened to kill her but she was able to talk him down. She contacted the police, but knew then, she would have to protect herself.

"I knew he was coming back for me and I was right, because he did," she said. "He preyed on me."

Thursday, she showed us what her ex-boyfriend Keith Brown was capable of: duct tape, now evidence of his plans.

"He had bought a bipod to set a rifle, he bought 10-50 binoculars, he bought camo, he was going to take me out one way or another."

August 8^th: Legate had just returned home with a male friend. Keith was hiding in the bushes, pointing a loaded rifle.

Legate say her thoughts were only on her daughter.

"I said 'Keith if you've hurt her or killed her, then go ahead and shoot me, because I don't want to live without her,'" she recalled.

Keith pushed her into her car, had the gun and a box-cutter.

She realized then he hadn't hurt her daughter.

"When he told me that I had all the strength in the world, and it was strength from God, because I said, I have to live for my daughter," said Legate.

Unbeknownst to her attacker, Legate too, was armed.

They made it less than a mile away when she pulled her handgun from the floor board and shot him.

"I just shot as many times as I could. I didn't even know how many bullets my gun held," she said.

Out of the car, she ran.

"I was screaming please Jesus, somebody help me, because you want to be loud so that someone can hear you. And I looked back one time and he had the rifle on me chasing me," she said.

But they didn't get far. Brown died at the scene.

"I am so sorry to his parents and family, I can't imagine what they are going through," Legate said.

But it was survival, pure and simple; a nightmare for anyone but she found a strength that she won't take credit for.

"I am survivor but only because God wanted me to be. And only because he told me everything to do and how to do it and strength. People say, you need to take credit, but I take credit only for listening to God," she said.

Legate is seeking some counseling to help her through this. Her daughter, too, is struggling to deal with what's happened.

It's a moment, Legate says, that will be with her forever. But she does hope her story can inspire others and empower them to protect themselves like she did.

Domestic violence is a reality for many people in Arkansas. If you or someone you know needs help, click here.