A Mexico resident who was taken into custody in connection with the shooting of his brother has been released from jail after the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney declined to file charges before the 24-hour deadline. 

On Sunday, May 19, at approximately 6:17 p.m., the Mexico Public Safety Department (MPSD) responded to the 700 block of E. Promenade in reference to a disturbance with someone being shot. 

Responding officers found that several people in the home were involved in an altercation, when Stephen L. Welch, 30, allegedly shot and killed his brother, Christopher S. Welch, 36. Stephen Welch remained on scene. He was detained and eventually taken to the Audrain County Sheriff’s Office, pending formal charges.

With Welch’s release, the prosecutor has requested that MPSD continue its investigation into what occurred so that the office can make a fully informed charging decision at a later date.

It was the second shooting of the week that MPSD responded to, as on May 14 at 3:04 p.m., MPSD officers were dispatched to the 500 block of North Abat in reference to a person shot by a gun. Officers arrived on scene in less than one minute and discovered an 18-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound in the home. Audrain Ambulance District transported him to University Hospital in Columbia, where he was admitted for treatment. 

The initial investigation indicates he was shot by accident by someone else in the home. The investigation is ongoing. Those facing charges are to be considered innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to contact CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 392-TIPS or (800 392-8477 or Mexico Public Safety at (573) 473-5800 or (573) 581-2100.