On the late afternoon of August 14, 2023, 37-year-old Ikea Welsh was killed in a shooting on the 6200 block of Glenmore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. Welsh had been returning from her job as a home health aide with her 15-year-old son when gunfire erupted shortly after 5 p.m.; both mother and son were struck. A 27-year-old woman who was a friend of Welsh was also wounded. All three were taken to a local hospital; Welsh died of her injuries while her son and the friend were treated and expected to recover.

Philadelphia police made an arrest and recovered a weapon in connection with the shooting, but authorities had not publicly identified the person taken into custody and the motive remained unclear as the investigation continued. Welsh leaves five sons, ages 10 to 18; her mother has voiced concerns about the children’s safety and the family has launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral and relocation expenses. Any readers who knew Ikea, her family, or who have information about the shooting are asked to come forward.