A man has been arrested after a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student, who was a national title-winning gymnast, was shot dead off campus.
On Friday, Aug. 30 at approximately 11:54 p.m. local time, the Whitewater Police Department responded to reports of an individual suffering a gunshot wound in the 100 block of W. Whitewater Street in Whitewater, according to a news release.
Police have since identified the victim as 21-year old Kara Welsh, of Plainfield, Illinois, and they confirmed a 23-year-old male had “been arrested and confined in the Walworth County Jail.”
Per a tribute message shared by Welsh’s school’s Chancellor, Corey King, on Saturday, the victim “was majoring in management in our College of Business and Economics and was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023.”
Police said the suspect is facing charges including first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.
An initial police release stated Welsh had “sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” adding that the male was “known to the deceased female.”
A stock photo of police tape.
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“Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two,” the release said.
In his statement, Chancellor King confirmed students, faculty and staff had been offered counseling services amid the tragedy, and that the school’s Dean of Students office had “connected with Kara’s family and [was] helping them navigate through the unimaginable situation of the loss of their loved one.”
“We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve,” King’s message added.
“Our Athletics leadership brought together the gymnastics team and coaches to inform them in person, and University Health and Counseling Services offered counseling support,” King confirmed.
“Our Academic Affairs staff are planning to provide extra support and flexibility to affected students with classes beginning on Tuesday,” the message added.
The chancellor concluded, “Details for memorial services will be shared when they are available. I have directed that the UW-Whitewater flag fly at half-staff on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Kara’s memory.”
A GoFundMe page set up to help Welsh’s family financially amid the tragedy has raised over $20,000 at the time of publication.
