Family Member: Incident at Walmart Prompted by String of Tragedies

 

“We’re not trying to make excuses for him or what he did,” a close family member of Charles D. Welborn, the suspect involved in the incident at San Angelo’s north side Walmart, said in an interview Wednesday morning. “We just want people to know what happened.”

Questions and rumors surrounding Welborn’s mental state, motive and criminal history have spread throughout the internet and social media since he walked into Walmart on March 24, claiming to have a bomb and stealing a rifle from the smashed gun case. When Welborn was met with police outside the superstore, he failed to comply with orders and was shot three times, sustaining injuries that led to his death in hospital on Tuesday night.

Calling from Louisiana, a close relative says that it was the comments on the LIVE!  Facebook and website that caused the family to reach out to the community, citing several concerned posts from San Angelo citizens on the rise of crime.

“We apologize on behalf of the family for the fear and ordeal, and we don’t condone it, we don’t condone it,” she said. “We don’t want people thinking they have to look over their shoulders in fear because of what he did.”

Charles “Danny” Welborn was the youngest of seven children and grew up in Shreveport, La. Within the past three years, multiple family-related tragedies have taken their toll on Welborn, resulting in alcoholism and deep depression, the family member said.

Three years ago, Welborn won custody of his 14-year-old daughter after divorcing his wife, when tragedy struck. Shortly thereafter, “he found her body,” the relative said. “she committed suicide. We lost a piece of him that day.”

Following the death of his daughter, Welborn suffered from depression and began drinking, she said. In 2012, he had met a woman and was engaged, and the two had a child together, a baby girl. The family thought that the birth of his daughter might turn things around for him, however soon after the baby was born, she died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The woman, Welborn’s fiancée, followed thereafter, terminally ill from cancer.

According to his relative, Welborn’s fiancée was from Galveston, and after her death, he returned to Texas to collect her belongings. He was supposed to return to Louisiana sometime thereafter and take on a plumbing job, but he never returned.

After that, the family remained only in intermittent contact with Welborn, who called occasionally and was known to be in Texas, however his city of residence was unknown. Due to his problems with alcohol, the family had chosen to stop financial support, in an attempt to save his life from his growing addiction.

Welborn was arrested in Galveston County on Jan. 9 of this year for driving while intoxicated. His relative says that as far the family knows, he had not been taking any medication. In the past, she says, he had made threats to commit suicide and had even attempted it once, but was unsuccessful.

As for the events that unfolded on Monday, she said, “He wanted that (the shooting) to happen. He was completely tormented and it (the deaths in his family) sent him over the edge.”

Welborn is survived by six siblings and a son, who is between 6 and 7-years-old. Speaking on behalf of her family, she continued, “He has one living child who is very young, and in a time of mass shootings and all, I don’t want him growing up thinking that’s what this was. He never intended to harm anyone.”

According to San Angelo Police Department Public Information Officer Tracy Gonzalez, several members of Welborn’s family have been reaching out to the department to provide information on the deceased. The family expressed gratitude to San Angelo Police for the peace they gave Welborn that he couldn’t give himself.

She further stated that the family apologizes for the fear Welborn’s actions has caused in the community, and for the measures that needed to be taken by police.

Welborn died at approximately 11:30 p.m. at Shannon Medical Center on Tuesday, March 25. He had undergone multiple surgeries for the three gunshot wounds sustained in the incident. 

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bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 17:11
Nope. I don't believe a single word of the excuses here. I'd love for someone to do some research and see if this is all true. I think it's an attempt to make this jerk seem like an angel. Pffft. I plan to check his background and see if all this is true. I may be the only cynical one here, but I just think some weak individual was too chicken to off himself and chose suicide by cop. If you pray for anyone, pray for the cop who has to live with this. And if you think it was not necessary, may I remind those of Jaime Padron, who had been on the SAPD, and was with the Austin PD when he was gunned down by a lunatic at Walmart. Before you trash the cops, why not give a little though to what they are confronted with, in trying to KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE FROM IDIOTS.
Nina I am praying for you. God loves you, i love you, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.
Two ding a lings dont make a bell. Being hateful is not the answer. Does anyone know if there is anything the community can do to help the officers involved or the family of the man who is hopefully reunited with his two daughters?
Two ding a lings dont make a bell. Being hateful is not the answer. Does anyone know if there is anything the community can do to help the officers involved or the family of the man who is hopefully reunited with his two daughters?
bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 18:44
Pray for the cop and thank GOD in heaven that unlike Jaime Padron, THIS officer was able to correct a situation and the dangerous person was neutralized. Because of that, this man who terrorized a store and a town, and all but begged cops to shoot him, is happily out of pain, while a cop is alive, but will carry this FOREVER. I'm not the one to pray for. Pray for a cop to do the same thing when YOU are threatened as you buy your orange juice and turnips next week. Cause terror, and the cops will make sure you are handled. There is no reason to pray for me, I do not hate, I am glad this idiot is gone. He should have sought help. And his family? Too little, too late. Don't apologize after the fact. Help the guy while he was alive, why not? Still don't believe the sob story. Just a weak individual, who ruined a cop's life.
bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 18:46
Here's what happens when the bad guy wins. May we always remember our Jaime Padron http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/supporters-of-officer-jaime-padron-begin-to-fill-c/ndR7b/
I can't understand how hatefully shallow and narrow minded people are towards these kinds of tragedies.... So I had to say this: He acted Alone.... The incident at Walmart....a sad tragic story. If only there was someone who could have intervened before he lost all hope after a downward spiral of events that lead up to what happened at Walmart. I propose to people to let this unfortunate event sink in next time they decide to ignore the signs of depression in others. There are folks out there with real issues they are dealing with and most of them are NOT just doing it for attention. They really need guidance. I can totally relate to this guy as far as having deaths in the family occurring one right after the other... Death takes it toll on people. Some cannot handle loss as well as others... My heart goes out to Mr. Welborn. I sympathize for his soul as he now has to make his journey beyond our physical realm to the next. I will be praying for his spirit to find peace because he didn't find it here, may he find it there, wherever he is. I believe God has a special place of care for these kind of people. People... Remember Charles D. Welborn next time you come across someone who seems like they have been down on their luck or are going through tough emotional times in their life. Instead of blowing them off, offer to help them in anyway you can. Even if its just a hug or a pat on the back letting them know they are loved by someone and not alone. I know someone personally who I'm going to have to make a special point to visit now because of what happened Monday. If anyone else out there knows someone suffering through harsh times physically mentally or emotionally, make it a point to show them someone does care. Any little bit helps to ease the pain they have inside. It would also be a good idea to spread this message to everybody. Lets bring our communities back together so we can say San Angelo TX has this. San Angelo TX looks out for one another. San Angelo Tx helps each other. That sure would be better then the rep ; "come to san angelo for vacation, leave on probation." as I'm sure a lot are familiar with. So yeah a tragedy no doubt, but as a community we can make sure Charles D. Welborn's death wasn't n vain. My condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Welborn. As well as to the SAPD officers who now have to live with the decision they made. Remember life is a double edge sword for everyone. Jo N Ard
CathyW, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 22:00
I am speaking out on behalf of the family. I was there the day he found his 14 year old daughter an was there when he lost his baby to SIDS. Till a person has went thru what he has been thru don't be so quick to judge. The article is telling the truth it's not a "sob" story as you put it. It's sadly a story that happens too often. His family was there to help him. This is one of the closest families I know. They tried all they could to help him thru his depression but after laying two children to rest it was just more than he could live with. Can you say if you lost two children in a years time an watched the one you loved slowly die from cancer you wouldn't snap? The family is truly sorry for what happened an shocked that he choose this as the way to end his life. The officer involved is also in our prayers. It truly saddens us that the officer was put in that situation. We all have the freedom to make choices in our life but none of us are free from the consequences of those choices an sadly in this situation so many people are effected. But I ask that he not be referred to as a terrorist. He was simply a broken man that just wanted the pain to stop. He has left behind a little boy that doesn't need to grow up seeing his daddy labeled that way. What needs to be done is the rehab centers make sure they step up an help the people that come in not just medicate them dry them out an send them on their way. I've known 3 people that have went thru the so called "rehab" centers only to commit suicide shortly after. People need to wake up an see that depression is a very real an serious problem an makes a normal person make deadly choices. I'm sure there will be some lash out back me on here an know that I will not respond. Just remember God is the only one with the right to judge. The ones that loved Danny an that are grieving know the real him an know what the tragic times in his life did to him an how they led to this horrible incident. Please let the family grieve without all this nastiness it's hard enough to accept what happened without reading stuff like what has been posted here by some.
If you have not walked it, you do not live it. As this family mourns the loss of their loved one, why would anyone be so biased?! Do you know different? If you don't, then read and leave this family alone! I do not know them but whom are you to hurt, the already grieving more? Have you felt love? Have you?! As for the family, I cannot imagine his grief. God is the only one to judge. Let him and his family rest in peace.
bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 23:24
Yes, I did read it. WE all have trials and troubles. Thank GOD we don't all go around teasing a cop until he puts us out of our misery. This family has a lot of nerve whining after the fact. WHere was the warning that this guy was about to go OFF? Why does everyone feel sorry for this criminal, and NOT for my FRIEND who worked in the store and had the holy bejiggered CRAP scared out of her, This was traumatic, she's in therapy because a wild nutcase went around hammering the gun cases. THAT is okay? Oh, no, we have to pray for the person who COMMITTED A CRIME and ruined a cop's life!!! NO! This guy has moved to the other side, thanks to a cop he threatened. The rest of us are here spooked, horrified, and being shrieked at by religious nuts who insist that the criminal BE PRAYED FOR. Pfft. Pray for the HONEST, law-abiding PEOPLE, why don't you?
bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 23:26
Unlike this man and his behavior, I will never bother his family or upset his friends. And his family and friends need to stop apologizing for this loser and go on with their lives instead of screaming at the people he scared half to death.
bebop, Wed, 03/26/2014 - 23:27
And may the officer he bullied, threatened and jumped on, LIVE in Peace. LIP
bebop, Thu, 03/27/2014 - 02:17
Why so much empathy for this man and his dangerous, terrifying tantrum, and none for those people of all ages, children included, who were in fear for their lives during his rampage? Where is that caring and those prayers? This man could have taken out an entire store, killed several police officers, caused serious collateral damage. People were running in terror for their lives to get the hell away. And THAT should be okay because "oh, this poor man had a hard time." ??? Are you kidding me? What about the people in that store who have had deaths, divorce, and other horrors in their lives? Those who were on their way to a funeral or chemotherapy, or whatever. Your empathy is misplaced, and it is insulting to those who had no idea what this man had gone through or why he was hammering everything in sight. You go through something like that and see how much YOU feel for someone who does NOT care about any living person beyond himself. Enough of the simpering sympathy for this man. Feel for the victims, why don't you? Don't judge me for my OUTRAGE about what this man did to so many others. How dare you bag on me for calling it as it was -- a selfish, DANGEROUS, possibly lethal tantrum. I've had more troubles in my life that this guy ever DREAMED about. And I take a stand about a criminal, and I AM THE "disgrace"??? You people supporting this criminal's actions are no better than he is. It is shocking, the level of sympathy and excuses for him. Go support those who had to witness this, having NO IDEA if they'd get out alive. THAT is the tragedy, here. You should be ashamed, to back up a maniac criminal who was taken down before he could lash out any more.
bebop, Thu, 03/27/2014 - 02:18
Why so much empathy for this man and his dangerous, terrifying tantrum, and none for those people of all ages, children included, who were in fear for their lives during his rampage? Where is that caring and those prayers? This man could have taken out an entire store, killed several police officers, caused serious collateral damage. People were running in terror for their lives to get the hell away. And THAT should be okay because "oh, this poor man had a hard time." ??? Are you kidding me? What about the people in that store who have had deaths, divorce, and other horrors in their lives? Those who were on their way to a funeral or chemotherapy, or whatever. Your empathy is misplaced, and it is insulting to those who had no idea what this man had gone through or why he was hammering everything in sight. You go through something like that and see how much YOU feel for someone who does NOT care about any living person beyond himself. Enough of the simpering sympathy for this man. Feel for the victims, why don't you? Don't judge me for my OUTRAGE about what this man did to so many others. How dare you bag on me for calling it as it was -- a selfish, DANGEROUS, possibly lethal tantrum. I've had more troubles in my life that this guy ever DREAMED about. And I take a stand about a criminal, and I AM THE "disgrace"??? You people supporting this criminal's actions are no better than he is. It is shocking, the level of sympathy and excuses for him. Go support those who had to witness this, having NO IDEA if they'd get out alive. THAT is the tragedy, here. You should be ashamed, to back up a maniac criminal who was taken down before he could lash out any more.
Yup, I tried suicide by cop so I can empathize with "Danny". While it's easy to say it's the chicken-**** way to off oneself, I'm here to tell you when you’re faced with the final decision, there is no "heroic" way to off yourself. You just want out because all other avenues are blocked and there is no hope. Friends, family, and mental health agencies are your only sources of help, and if they aren't being used properly, then you can kiss it all goodbye. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Is it wrong what he did? Absolutely. Should he have sought help? Absolutely. Can we learn from this? I sure hope so. RIP Mr. Welborn.
Pevine, Thu, 03/27/2014 - 10:20
While growth in readership is good, it also brings change. I used to like to read comments.....
The family and friends of this broken man has my prayers with them. They will always wonder if they did enough but it's useless to try to second guess yourself when you did what you thought was best at the time. Someone in an alcoholic blackout will not even remember what they did if they live through it. From the description of the incident the man wanted the police called and probably wanted the rifle to confront them so they would shoot. When that failed he went to his truck and found the only thing he could threaten them with.....ironically a bottle to break and use as a weapon. So now this police officer is left to second guess himself. My prayers go with him and his family and he must be reassured that he did what he was trained to do and be thankful that he did, so he could go home to his family. I'm glad that the family felt compelled to share the story with the press and the police department that is investigating the shooting, so that the people of this city could know that they are sure his intentions were "suicide by cop". The article began with the statement “We’re not trying to make excuses for him or what he did,” and they continued to apologize to everyone involved. What more can you ask of them and they are just as deserving of prayers as everyone else involved. I have no shortage of prayers.
Syd, Thu, 03/27/2014 - 11:42
We as people should remember all of the victims involved the officer who fired the shots, the people who witnessed the incident and the family of the deceased, epically his young son; they ALL need our prayers to get through this tragedy, it is very sad. Being mean and saying hateful things doesn't help it just makes the situation worse. What ever happened to the saying "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" there are times when it is appropriate to voice you opinion but being ugly at a time like this is not.
Very few stories make me truly sad. This story, however, made me truly sad. I can honestly say it is NOT my place to judge this man or his actions. If I were faced with the same exact losses this man faced, I cannot say that I wouldn't do the exact same thing he did. I can only imagine the pain in this man. The loss of a child is unimaginable. I sincerely grieve for him and for his family. I honestly hope he is with his loved ones now. May everyone involved find peace and forgiveness.
Nina are you completely delusional ? There is nobody in the story or in the comments "trashing cops",nNobody was making excuses, AND Everyone has plenty of empathy and prayers for the police officers who have to deal with this case and cases like it every day in this country. Maybe he had a plan to commit suicide by cop, maybe he didn't. It doesn't really matter if he was a bad person, had mental issues or depression issues and needed help, or if he was just stupid. There's no need for your "background check" and for you to ramble on and on here trying to stir up drama or look for some sort of feelings to make yourself feel good. Cynical is not what you are. You are either hateful or just plain confused about the true content of the story and comments.
This is truly a tragic ending for all involved including Walmart employees, the officer involved, and yes a person with some mental issues. But what really gets me is that people are arguing on the internet over something that was completely out of your control. Today our streets are safer because an officer performed his duty in what could have been a worse situation, and you people are debating about what should or shouldn't have been done to help Mr Welborn. We will never truly understand what drove him to do what he did, and whats even more pathetic is the people that use this medium to vent their frustration over something completely out of our control. Thank the lord that the officer took care of a situation that most could never do and pray that you are never faced with the same situation. As for your freedom of speech, feel free to use it for something that might be in your control.
If a walmart manager can wrestle a gun away from the man.....i would think that an entire police force trained to subdue an individual could have used non-lethal tactics. Instead they reacted with emotion and panic, are the police officers not trained to deal with high stress situations in a calm manner, quickly weighing all options.????!!!!!!
live, Thu, 03/27/2014 - 23:47

Something to consider is the training SAPD has. I know from my military training that I was drilled and practiced so many times to perform BOLDFACE emergency procedures, that I still have those reflexes. (You know, like when the comments section blows up and the phones are ringing off the wall with complaints, "Handgrips-Raise" comes to mind.) I'd bet that SAPD is taught the same BOLDFACE procedures when dealing with uncooperative suspects with unknown weapons. And since we all know that an average officer faces at least one life-or-death situation every shift, having those reflexes has probably saved 100s of SAPD officers over the past decade. Walmart managers subduing robbers are more daring because I am assuming they do not undergo the training and constant practice an SAPD officer does. I'd say the Walmart manager took an exceptional risk. Remember APD Officer Jaime Padron was killed in a wrestling match struggle similar to the Walmart manager's act of bravery.

After 2 1/2 decades of working criminal cases triggered by antidepressants (some of the more high profile cases would be the murder/suicide of comedian Phil Hartman and his wife, the Columbine and Red Lake school shootings, Andrea Yates' case, etc.), I would take bets the family is incorrect on the medication issue and should insist a toxicology be run. I say that because it sounds to me like someone had helped him get an antidepressant. The large majority of these cases, especially where you see extreme out-of-character violence, bizarre behavior, and suicide by cop, involve these antidepressants that work very much like PCP and cause overwhelming cravings for alcohol. To suffer the tragic losses this man suffered over such a short period of time and NOT get prescribed an antidepressant in America is almost a total impossibility any longer. And if the family had little contact with him over the last year or two how would they know about his recent medication use? (If Cathy Welborn happens to be brave enough to come back in here in spite of Nina's insane ramblings - need to check her meds - and happen to read this perhaps she could contact me or mention what makes them think Danny was not on something?) I have had cases where the jury has ruled that only two doses of an antidepressant has been the cause of a mass murder/suicide and awarded $8 Million in damages. It does not take much to produce extreme violence in non-violent people when these drugs are involved. I don't know if you are allowed to post links here, but we have built a database of over 4800 cases like this and the drug involved where you will also find a very long list of school shootings as well at http://ssristories.drugawareness.org/archive/indexb6a1.html?sort=date&p=
bebop, Sat, 03/29/2014 - 02:49
Selective compassion smacks of earthly judgment. You either love and excuse all criminals, or none. And no I was not there but had friends in the store who now require therapy, thanks to this terrifying situation. Don't trash ME, I'm the one being honest here.
Waaaah....! I experienced tragedy and losses and now I'm gonna take out my child-like frustrations at Walmart....waaahhhhh! Life isn't fair...I want to strike out at the world for a lack of restraint, common sense and human decency! Waaaaah!
I keep seeing the phrase "the officer will have to live with this". I certainly hope he does, and lavishes in the glory of knowing he took out a bona fide piece of trash. The moment he pulled the trigger, San Angelo was all the better for it.

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