Arizona troopers ended the manhunt for triple homicide suspect Ivory James Welch III in a confrontation in the Safford area, where Welch was fatally shot.
Arizona Troopers End Manhunt for Triple Homicide Suspect Ivory James Welch III in Safford Area Confrontation
On May 13, Arizona troopers received a vital tip about a possible sighting in the Safford area. The report suggested a man, wanted for a triple homicide in Mississippi the previous day, might be nearby. With urgency, DPS detectives, deputies from the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Clifton Police Department acted swiftly to find the suspect, according to the crime report of Fox 10.
By 10:17 a.m., law enforcement spotted the suspect along US 191, between Morenci and Clifton. Authorities intercepted him, but the situation quickly escalated when the suspect later identified as Ivory James Welch III exited his vehicle with a firearm.
In a tense confrontation, law enforcement responded to the threat. Tragically, Welch was shot and killed. No officers were injured. However, the incident marked the end of the manhunt that had captured national attention.
Furthermore, the events leading to Welch’s encounter with Arizona law enforcement stemmed from a triple homicide in Ridgeland, Mississippi, on Mother’s Day. Among the victims was Welch’s mother, adding to the tragedy. As authorities investigate, communities in both states grapple with the aftermath of violence and loss.