Police say Raleigh science teacher Zoe Welsh was killed after calling 911 to report a man inside her Clay Street home, sparking outrage and grief across the community. The suspect, 36 year old Ryan Camacho, faces murder and burglary charges amid renewed scrutiny of his long criminal history and questions about public safety and self defense at home.

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RALEIGH, NC (3-minute read) — Police in Raleigh say 34 year old teacher and science department chair Zoe Welsh called 911 early Saturday morning from her Clay Street home, reporting that a man had broken inside. While she remained on the line with dispatchers, the intruder allegedly began attacking her. Officers arrived to find Welsh suffering life threatening injuries, and she later died at the hospital.

According to the Raleigh Police Department, Welsh called for help at about 6:33 in the morning, telling the 911 operator that a man was inside her home on Clay Street. While she was still speaking with the dispatcher, officers say the man began assaulting her. Responding units arrived to find Welsh gravely injured. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Detectives identified the suspect as 36 year old Ryan Camacho. He has been charged with the murder of Welsh and with felony burglary. Police have not said whether there was any prior connection between Camacho and Welsh, and investigators say the case remains open as they work to piece together what led up to the attack.

Ravenscroft School confirmed that Welsh taught science and served as chair of the science department. School leaders described her as a cornerstone of the program and a mentor to students and colleagues. They plan to provide grief counseling and support when students and staff return from winter break.

Raleigh Home Invasion Sparks Grief And Safety Concerns#

Court records show that Camacho has a lengthy history of arrests in Wake and Durham counties, including more than twenty prior cases. Some charges were misdemeanors, and others were ultimately dropped. Records also show that he escaped from a state prison facility in Salisbury in 2021 and had previously pleaded guilty to shooting into occupied property. A separate breaking or entering case was dismissed in December after a mental competency evaluation, and a request for involuntary commitment was denied by a judge, according to the district attorney.

For many Raleigh residents, this case is a painful reminder to think through their own safety plans at home. That can include reinforcing doors and windows, installing quality locks and lighting, knowing how to quickly contact law enforcement, and for those who choose to own a firearm, getting training, understanding North Carolina laws on self defense, and keeping firearms secure but accessible in an emergency.

Safety Tip: If you choose to keep a firearm for home defense, store it in a fast access safe, practice safe handling regularly, and learn your state’s self defense laws so you can make lawful, informed decisions under stress.