A Raleigh teacher is dead after police say a man broke into her home on Saturday in Raleigh.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, a woman, identified as Zoe Welsh, called 911 around 6:33 a.m. from her home on Clay Street to report that a man was inside her home. While Welsh was on the phone, the suspect began assaulting her.
When officers arrived, they found Welsh with life-threatening injuries. Welsh was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Ryan Camacho and charged him with Welsh’s murder and felony burglary.
There is no indication if Camacho and Welsh knew each other.
The head of Ravenscroft School confirmed to WRAL News that Welsh was a teacher at the school. According to the school’s website, Welsh was a science teacher at the school and was the chair of the science department.
“I am deeply heartbroken for this mother, friend, and mentor to many in our community, and for the unimaginable trauma her family must endure,” said Rico Boyce, Raleigh Police Chief. “We extend our deepest sympathy to Ms. Welsh’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”
In a statement, the school said Welsh was a cornerstone of the school’s science department and the Ravenscroft community for years.
“Her loss is deeply felt by all of us who had the privilege of working with her and learning in her classroom,” the school said.
The school added it will be providing grief counseling and support resources for faculty, staff and students when they return to campus from winter break on Monday.
Previous arrests
According to court documents, Camacho has a lengthy criminal history going back more than a decade in both Wake and Durham counties. Court records show Camacho has been arrested more than 20 times.
In many of those cases, Camacho was either charged with a misdemeanor or the cases were dropped altogether.
However, Camacho was arrested in 2021 after he escaped from state prison in Salisbury. Two years earlier, he pleaded guilty to shooting into occupied property.
In December, breaking or entering charges against Camacho in a separate case were dismissed following a mental competency examination. During the hearing, prosecutors asked to have Camacho involuntarily committed but that request was denied by a judge, according to District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who spoke with WRAL News over the phone Sunday.
Police said their investigation into Saturday’s fatal shooting is ongoing. Camacho is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday.