Chad Richards, a 23-year-old man, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the shooting death of Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old national gymnastics champion. The incident took place on August 30 in Richards’ apartment near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
According to the criminal complaint, Welsh sustained multiple gunshot wounds during a confrontation. Richards reportedly called 911, and Welsh was found in a pool of blood. Richards claimed that during an argument, Welsh grabbed a gun from a nightstand. He said he wrestled the gun away and shot her because he “feared for his life,” as detailed in the complaint.
Investigators discovered a handgun and shell casings at the scene, leading to Richards’ arrest. Richards, who is from Loves Park, Illinois, identified Welsh as his girlfriend. He was previously listed on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s 2021-22 wrestling team roster.
Welsh, a native of Plainfield, Illinois, was a management major in the university’s College of Business and Economics. She was also a member of the Warhawk gymnastics team and had won the individual national title on vault at the NCAA Division III championships the previous year.
Richards made an initial court appearance via video in Walworth County Court on Friday. His attorney, Gibson Hatch, has not yet commented. Richards is being held on a $1 million bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 28.
