National gymnastics champion killed at her apartment near Wisconsin university

WHITEWATER, Wis. (TCN) -- A 23-year-old man is in custody for reportedly fatally shooting a 21-year-old gymnastics champion at her off-campus apartment over the weekend.

According to the Whitewater Police Department, on Friday, Aug. 30, just before midnight, officers were responded to an apartment on the 100 block of West Whitewater Street and found a 21-year-old female, identified as Kara Welsh, deceased with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect was reportedly still at the scene, and police learned he and Welsh allegedly got into an altercation prior to the shooting.

In an update, police identified the suspect as Chad Richards and said he was arrested on charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.

Welsh was a student at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater majoring in management. She competed on the school’s varsity gymnastics team and won an individual national title in vault in 2023, scoring a 9.825. According to the university’s athletic department, Welsh earned All-American honors, qualified for nationals, and helped lead her team to second place in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship.

She was described as a "dedicated and supportive teammate."

Athletic director Ryan Callahan said, "Kara was a true Warhawk — an amazing person, student, and athlete. We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better. Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends."

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