The individual accused of fatally shooting Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast, has been identified as Chad T. Richards, a former wrestler at the college, according to police statements.
Richards, 23, from Loves Park, Illinois, was arrested on Friday night after allegedly shooting Welsh multiple times at an apartment located about a block from the university’s main campus, as reported by the Whitewater Police Department.
Authorities have requested that the district attorney’s office charge Richards with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by using a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed. Richards is scheduled to appear in Walworth County Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Police believe Welsh and Richards knew each other, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.
According to news station WCLO, Richards was listed as a sophomore wrestler on the university’s roster for the 2021-22 season.
Officers responded to the apartment just before midnight on Friday, where they discovered Welsh dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Richards was also present at the scene when officers arrived, according to police.
“Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two,” the police stated, noting that their investigation is ongoing.
Welsh, an award-winning gymnast who won an individual national title on the vault last year, was about to begin her senior year at the university, where she was studying management.
University Chancellor Corey King announced Welsh’s death in a message to students and faculty, saying, “We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community,” and added, “It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support her parents, Nancy and Tom Welsh, as well as her sister, Kaeli.
“Kara was a daughter, sister, dear friend and teammate who grew up in Plainfield, Illinois,” the GoFundMe page states.
“Kara had a unique ability to bring joy to any person she crossed paths with, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, unwavering support, and sweet disposition. Kara, 21 years old, was excited to be in her rising senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater which was abruptly cut short on August 30th, by a heartless act of violence. We are completely heartbroken for our beloved Welsh family — Nancy, Tom, and Kaeli as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
