Teenager A Suspect In Shooting Death Man Found Dead On Sidewalk; Girl Called Armed, Dangerous

Police are looking for a 17-year-old Spokane girl they think shot a man to death in an East Central apartment earlier this week.

Detectives said Emily R. Welk should be considered armed and dangerous.

Major crimes Lt. Jerry Oien released Welk’s name and photograph Friday.

“Juvenile court authorities have declined prosecution because of the serious nature of the crime,” Oien said. “She’ll be tried as an adult.”

Witnesses told police Welk shot Richard William Perez of Florida once in his side after an argument about 10 p.m. Monday.

Oien said investigators aren’t sure what the two were fighting about.

Perez, 24, was found on a sidewalk outside an apartment building at 1208 E. First and died en route to the hospital.

Oien said the victim had lived in town about two months and was known to police. He likely knew Welk, Oien said.

Welk is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has green eyes and brown hair that she often wears in tight braids.

Police spokesman Dick Cottam said Welk sometimes uses makeup to significantly darken her complexion.

Welk has a history of run-ins with police, Cottam said.

She was arrested in June after two people told police she fired a handgun into the front door of their apartment after an argument, according to District Court records.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Crime Check, 456-2233.

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