A 23-year-old man has been arrested for the shooting death of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Welsh near campus. Welsh, a business management major and national title-winning gymnast, was shot multiple times following an altercation with the suspect at a campus-area apartment. The suspect, who is being held on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety while armed, and disorderly conduct while armed, has not been identified and it is unclear if he has retained legal counsel.
The Whitewater Police Department has not provided further information on the case. Welsh’s death has deeply impacted the university community, with Chancellor Corey King announcing her passing in a message to students, faculty, and staff. Welsh was described as a vault “phenom” who was a dedicated teammate and a source of light for those around her.
Memorial services for Welsh will be announced at a later date, and flags on campus will fly at half-staff upon students’ return. Counseling services are available for those who need support, and the gymnastics community has offered their condolences to Welsh’s family and teammates. The tragic incident occurred at an off-campus residence, about a mile east of the main campus. Whitewater is located approximately 50 miles west-southwest of Milwaukee.
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