A man from Mississippi, suspected of killing his mother and two sisters, was shot dead in a gunfight with Arizona state troopers, according to authorities. The shootout marked the tragic conclusion to a chase that covered hundreds of miles from the initial crime scene in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
The Ridgeland Police Department identified Ivory James Welch III, 54, as the main suspect in the murders before he fled Mississippi. His cross-state flight ended in Arizona on Monday, May 13, where a gunfight with state troopers resulted in his death.
The triple homicide was reported to Ridgeland Police around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, said Police Chief Brian Myers. The victims were found in a house on Old Canton Road and were identified as Ida Thomas Welch, 76, Vicky Renee Welch, 56, and 42-year-old Crystal Lynn Welch. The grim discovery was made after relatives requested a welfare check.
Chief Myers commented on the devastating impact of the event: “This horrific event will have a lasting effect on this family, the officers involved in this investigation as well as our brothers in Arizona law enforcement.”
After Welch was identified as the suspect, the Ridgeland Police Department joined forces with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to find him. Welch’s vehicle was tracked, and he was eventually located by the Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers between Morenci and Clifton, Arizona. Officers from the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office and the Clifton Police Department assisted in the operation.
The attempt to apprehend Welch resulted in a shootout. “Arizona State Troopers attempted to take Welch into custody when he fired upon them, resulting in his death,” said Myers.
Myers commended the collaboration between the various law enforcement agencies, attributing their swift action to teamwork and effective media relations, thus ensuring “swift justice for a grieving family.”
The ACLU of Mississippi made a statement recognizing the role of Crystal Welch as Board President since 2023. “Crystal was a significant leader and friend to the ACLU of Mississippi,” stated Jarvis Dortch, ACLU Mississippi Executive Director. “Her passion and dedication to equality and justice profoundly impacted our team. We offer our deepest condolences to her family,” the statement read.
Colendula Green, a friend of Crystal Welch, recalled her as an extraordinary individual who was passionate about her work and life.
The motives behind the killings are still unknown. Chief Myers suggested, “He may have been upset about a funeral and his birthday which was on Friday.”
On Monday, Chief Myers revealed that Welch had a history of trouble with the law.
Myers noted that in 2006, their department had dealt with Welch in relation to a domestic violence incident involving a family member. In 2012, Welch had another encounter with the department due to an assault accusation.
