Keirra Welch: Half naked drunk woman arrested for firing shots out of car window during 'birthday celebration'
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: A woman was arrested by Memphis police on Monday, September 19 for allegedly celebrating her birthday by shooting out of an open car window while half-naked. On Monday afternoon, a police officer who was traveling south on South Danny Thomas Boulevard reported seeing Keirra Welch, a 23-year-old woman in a white Hyundai Elantra, heading north pointing a black handgun out the passenger-side window and firing two shots at an "unknown object."
Officers soon detained Welch after seeking backup and discovering a Glock 17 on the floorboard of the car's passenger side. The gun was discharged "on the main roadway through Downtown that is well populated with businesses and residential housing," according to the affidavit, as reported by Action News 5.
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Keirra Welch was reportedly "halfway undressed" and "smiling and laughing the entire time" when police pulled over the car. Along with the firearm, they claim to have found what looked like marijuana in the form of green leaves in a clear plastic bag.
Welch, whose birthday was last month, told police the weed belonged to her and claimed she was "just turning up" for her birthday. She admitted to having consumed at least four alcoholic drinks and "was clearly intoxicated," according to police. The investigators found out that the firearm belongs to the driver, who is Welch's boyfriend.
According to court documents, the incident took place on September 19 and the women's birthday is August 24. She is accused of reckless endangerment, drug possession, and being in possession of a handgun while intoxicated. Her court date is set for September 27 and she has posted a $7,500 bond.
The majority of Tennessee residents are allowed to legally own handguns and other firearms. However, Tennessee has a number of laws in place to make sure that armed individuals do not act carelessly. State and federal laws are very strict when it comes to handguns. A handgun is any firearm that is made to be fired with one hand and has a barrel length of fewer than twelve inches, as defined by Tennessee law. Residents are typically required to have a current permit in order to carry a loaded handgun openly or concealed. However, there are some situations where it is against the law to own a handgun even with a permit. In particular, Tennessee law forbids carrying a handgun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the law office of Bernie McEvoy.