A woman in Twin Falls has been charged after allegedly shooting her boyfriend during what authorities say began as an argument over Christmas cookies. According to an affidavit from the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home along Hillcrest Road east of Blue Lakes Boulevard South on Tuesday, Dec. 23, following a report of a shooting. When deputies arrived, they knocked several times on the front door.
After no immediate response, a deputy entered the home and found a man inside with visible bloodstains and holes in his right pant leg near his knee. The deputy asked the man who else was in the house, and he responded, “My girlfriend.” When questioned about where he had been shot, the man initially did not answer. “Right there in the knee where your leg is bleeding?” the deputy asked, according to the affidavit. The man replied, “ya.”
Deputies then called for the woman to come out of the house with her hands raised. She complied and was later identified as 53-year-old Katheryn Welch. Deputies handcuffed Welch and searched her, but did not find a weapon. A search of the residence confirmed no other people were inside the home, according to local KMVT.
During the investigation, both Welch and the victim told deputies the shooting was accidental, according to court documents. The victim later explained that the “accident” happened after an argument over Christmas cookies. Welch reportedly told investigators that she disposed of the firearm used in the shooting along a road near the house.
Deputies later obtained a search warrant and conducted a more thorough search of the residence. Court records state that investigators found blood splatter beneath a desk, a .22-caliber bullet casing, and substances believed to be drugs, along with drug paraphernalia. No .22-caliber handgun was located during the search.
The substances discovered tested “presumptively positive for methamphetamine,” according to the affidavit. The absence of the firearm, combined with Welch’s statement about discarding it, led investigators to add additional charges related to evidence tampering.
Welch now faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery, destruction and or concealment of evidence, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.
Online jail records show that Welch posted a $75,000 bond on Monday. She is scheduled to return to court on January 9 for a preliminary hearing, where a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed. The investigation remains ongoing.
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