Flags are flying at half staff University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus Tuesday in honor of senior gymnast Cara Welsh, who was shot to death in her apartment Friday evening.
Welsh, 21, was a national champion and two-time All-American, according to a statement from the university. She was found by police with multiple gunshot wounds, the Whitewater Police Department said in a news release. Chad T. Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Illinois, who was also found in the apartment, has been arrested.
“It’s impossible to put into words the impact Kara has had on the Warhawk community,” coach Jane Regan said in a posted statement. UW-Whitewater Athletics Website. “A powerful athlete, dedicated teammate, and light in everyone’s darkest days, Kara truly lifted each of us up during her time as a Warhawk gymnast. There are no words to describe the void we all feel in our hearts, but Kara’s legacy will live on forever through Warhawk Gymnastics.
Authorities say Welsh and Richards knew each other and investigators determined “there was an altercation between the two.” Authorities have not publicly identified their relationship.
Police have referred charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. Richards is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, police said.
Welsh, The Plainfield, Illinois, Originally studied business management. Classes for the fall semester began on Tuesday.
A news release on the school’s athletics website described Welsh as a “phenomenon on the vault,” noting that she holds four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history.
By Tuesday morning, A GoFundMe The campaign for the Welsh family, promoted by the school athletics department, raised more than $34,000.
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