UW-Whitewater Student Chad Richards Arrested in Shooting Death of Gymnast Kara Welsh

WHITEWATER, WI. (THECOUNT) — Chad T. Richards has been identified as the suspect arrested in the tragic shooting death of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Welsh.

The Whitewater Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that Richards, 23, from Loves Park, Illinois, was apprehended at the scene after Welsh was fatally shot Friday night at an apartment near campus.

Richards, a former wrestler at UW-Whitewater from 2020 to 2022, appeared in court via video on Tuesday. Authorities revealed that Richards remains a student at the university. The judge maintained a bond of $1 million, citing a significant flight risk. Richards is set to appear in court again on Friday for his initial appearance.

In a news release, police indicated that Welsh and Richards knew each other and were involved in an altercation prior to the shooting. Specific details surrounding the incident have not been disclosed.

Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old management major in the College of Business and Economics, was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team. She earned the national title on vault at the NCAA Division III championships last year, the university noted in a statement.

The Whitewater Police have recommended that the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office charge Richards with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.

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