MORENCI, Ariz. — A man accused of murdering three family members on Mother's Day in Mississippi was killed in Arizona following a shooting with law enforcement, according to the Ridgeland Police Department in Mississippi.
The shooting, which involved Arizona DPS troopers, was reported Monday morning and closed US 191 between Morenci and Clifton.
Ridgeland police said Ivory James Welch III fired shots at Arizona DPS troopers when he was pulled over during a traffic stop. DPS has not confirmed that information and only said Welch pulled out a firearm before he was shot.
Welch was wanted in connection with the deaths of his mother and two sisters in the City of Ridgeland, according to Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers.
“We’ve never had a triple homicide," Myers said. "This is a new one for us.”
The victims have been identified as Ida Thomas Welch, 76, Vicky Renee Welch, 56, and Crystal Lynn Welch, 42. Myers said they were all shot to death inside a home.
Myers said the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Track Force was tracking Ivory Welch's cell phone. Arizona troopers attempted to apprehend Ivory Welch after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. A spokesperson for Arizona DPS said troopers were notified he was possibly seen in the Safford area.
The shooting happened when troopers attempted to pull Ivory Welch over.
"This investigation is a great example of how teamwork in law enforcement, as well as a great relationship with our media outlets, affords us swift justice for a grieving family," Myers wrote that statement. "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."
The US 191 roadway in eastern Arizona is closed in both directions between mileposts 167 and 164, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. There is no estimated time for when it may reopen.
Clifton police said small vehicles may travel through Shannon Hill while US 191 remains closed.
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What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
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Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.
The county contains around 63% of Arizona’s population and is 9,224 square miles. That makes the county larger than seven U.S. states (Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire).
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The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.