A man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting and killing Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old gymnast at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, at her off-campus apartment in Wisconsin, authorities said.
Welsh, who won an individual national title on the vault with the gymnastics team last year, was shot multiple times by a 23-year-old man on Friday at an apartment about a block from the university's main campus, police said.
Police have not released the suspect's name but said she is believed to have known him.
The nature of their relationship was unclear.
Police said officers arrived on the scene just before midnight Friday and found Welsh dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
“Also present in the apartment was a 23-year-old man who was an acquaintance of the deceased woman,” the statement said.
“The investigation revealed that there was an altercation between the two parties prior to the shooting.”
The man was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed. In a separate statement, police said:.
The investigation is ongoing, they added.
Welsh was in her final year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she was majoring in business administration and also a member of the school's Warhawk gymnastics team.
University President Corey King announced Welsh's death on Saturday. Message to students and faculty.
“Kara Welsh, 21, of Plainfield, Illinois, was killed in an off-campus shooting on Friday, August 30, 2024,” he wrote.
“Kara is a business management major in our College of Business and Economics and a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning the 2023 individual national title on vault.
“We know the news of Carla’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community.
“This is a time when we all need to support one another, accept one another and grieve.”
He added that counseling services will be made available to students, faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and the school flag will be flown at half-staff in Welsh's memory on Sept. 3, when the fall semester begins.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help her parents, Nancy and Tom Welsh, and her sister, Kaylee.
“Karla was a daughter, sister, close friend and teammate growing up in Plainfield, Illinois,” the statement read.
“Carla had the unique ability to bring joy to everyone she met – her sense of humor, unwavering support and kind nature always put a smile on people's faces.
“Kara, 21, was looking forward to her senior year as a gymnast at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, but on August 30th those dreams were suddenly shattered in a callous act of violence. We are truly heartbroken for our beloved Welsh family, Nancy, Tom and Kaylee, as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
