On May 19, 2024, a domestic dispute at a residence on East Promenade Street in Mexico, Missouri, ended when 36-year-old Christopher S. Welch was shot and killed. Officers from the Mexico Public Safety Department arrived after a 6:17 p.m. call and found Christopher deceased at the scene.

Investigators identified his brother, 30-year-old Stephen L. Welch, as the suspected shooter; Stephen remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Accounts of what happened differ: one witness said Christopher was holding a knife, threatened to kill Stephen and another person, and advanced toward Stephen. Stephen told police he fired his weapon until it was empty and said he was about seven feet away, citing Marine training for his shooting technique.

The Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office released Stephen from custody pending further investigation to allow additional evidence gathering. If anyone has information about the dispute or was in the area that evening, please come forward.