Southwest
Son suspected of killing own mother, 2 sisters in Mother's Day massacre shot dead hundreds of miles away
A Mother’s Day massacre left a woman and two of her daughters dead in Mississippi, officials said. The suspect died later hundreds of miles away.
According to the Ridgeland Police Department, a man later identified as Ivory James Welch III, was the lead suspect in the death of his mother and two sisters when he fled town and the state, getting as far as Arizona before he was shot dead in a shootout with state troopers.
Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers says officers received a call about the triple homicide around 3:30 p.m. Sunday at a home on Old Canton Road in Ridgeland, WLBT reported. He identified the victims as Ida Thomas Welch, 76, Vicky Renee Welch, 56, and Crystal Lynn Welch, 42.
“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 police chief said.
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The Ridgeland Police Department identified Ivory James Welch III, was the lead suspect in the death of his mother and two sisters. (Ridgeland Police Department)
The Mississippi officers were subsequently notified that their suspect was killed in Arizona on Monday afternoon.
According to the police chief, an arrest warrant for Welch was obtained and the U.S. Marshals Task Force began searching for him. He was ultimately located by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers between Morenci and Clifton, according to AZFamily.
Officers from the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office and the Clifton Police Department assisted in the Arizona pursuit, per the report.
Ridgeland Police Chief Brian Myers says officers received a call about the triple homicide around 3:30 p.m. Sunday at a home on Old Canton Road in Ridgeland, Mississippi. (Ridgeland Police Department/Facebook)
Once found by the law enforcement officers, a gunfight ensued, according to Myers.
“Arizona State Troopers attempted to apprehend Welch and he fired upon the troopers and was fatally wounded in the gunfight,” he said.
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Myers added: “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.”
Mississippi ACLU released a statement remembering Crystal Welch, who served as Board President since 2023.
“I just cannot process today’s news,” Executive Director Jarvis Dortch said. “Crystal was a great friend and since 2023, she was an enthusiastic leader of the ACLU of Mississippi Board of Directors. She was always asking what more she could do to support our team and our work. Our staff and board will forever be grateful for her commitment to equality and justice. Her passion for life, infectious spirit and enthusiasm will be missed.”
Arizona State Troopers attempted to apprehend Welch and he fired upon the troopers. He was fatally wounded in the gunfight. (Paul Harris/Getty Images)
It continued: “On behalf of ACLU of Mississippi, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Crystal’s family during this unthinkable time. We urge the community to join us in sending prayers to the Welch family.”
“Crystal was just a true delight. She was just a superwoman. She was a fun, loving intellectual. Very passionate about her work,” her friend, Colendula Green, told AZFamily.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the fatal shootings.
“He may have been upset about a funeral and his birthday, which was on Friday,” Chief Myers said, per AZFamily.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
Los Angeles, Ca
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