Ivory James Welch III a suspect in a triple murder in Mississippi, was killed in a shootout with Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers in Greenlee County on Monday, prompting the closure of U.S. Highway 191 North.
By Jon Johnson
MORENCI/CLIFTON – Highway 191 North was closed between Morenci and Clifton on Monday morning after a suspect in a triple murder in Mississippi was killed in a shootout with Arizona Department of Public Safety officers, according to police reports.
The Ridgeland Police Department announced Monday that Ivory James Welch III was shot and killed by Arizona troopers in a shootout. Welch was a suspect in the murder of Ida Thomas Welch, 76, Vicky Renee Welch, 56, and Crystal Lynn Welch, 42, in Mississippi on Sunday. The victims are the suspect’s mother and sisters.
An arrest warrant was issued and Arizona troopers located Welch as he traveled through Greenlee County. One of Welch’s alleged victims, Crystal Welch, was a member of the Mississippi ACLU Board of Directors.
The highway was closed between Morenci and Clifton after the shooting for an investigation into the critical incident. Small vehicles were permitted to travel through Shannon Hill, but semi-traffic had to wait for the incident command to clear the scene. The highway was reopened for semi-traffic only at about 1:30 p.m.
The DPS confirmed the trooper-involved shooting and said it would be putting out a statement later today. No troopers were injured in the incident. According to Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers, Welch III fired at troopers when they attempted to take him into custody and they fatally shot him.
The Gila Herald will update this article when possible.
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