A Plainfield native and dedicated gymnast going into her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was killed Friday evening, according to school officials. Her friends, mentors and fellow gymnasts — both at home and school — remembered her as a sunny, bubbly presence who took her athletic passion to heart.
Whitewater police identified her as Kara Welsh, 21. On Saturday afternoon, a 23-year-old man was arrested, taken to Walworth County Jail and charged with first-degree murder. He has also been charged with endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed, according to police.
Welsh was a national champion and two-time All-American majoring in business management who chose to attend UW-Whitewater “because she fell in love with the campus and the people,” according to a university gymnastics roster bio.
“To put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community is impossible,” said UW-Whitewater head women’s gymnastics coach Jen Regan in a statement released Sunday afternoon. “A powerful athlete, dedicated teammate, and the light in everyone’s dark days, Kara truly lifted each and every one of us up in her time as a Warhawk gymnast. There are no words to describe the void we all feel in our hearts, but Kara’s legacy will live on through Warhawk gymnastics forever.”
In the statement, which was posted on the official UW-Whitewater athletics site, Welsh was described as a “phenom on the vault.” She holds four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in the program’s history. But she was also described as someone who incessantly motivated and supported other teammates.
“Kara was a true Warhawk — an amazing person, student and athlete,” said Athletic Director Ryan Callahan. “We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better. Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends.”
Aspire Gymnastics Academy in Joliet also shared a Facebook post remembering Welsh as an “integral part” of their community who they had the opportunity to watch blossom into a “wonderful,” hardworking young woman at college and every time she returned to train during breaks while back at home.
“As Kara grew, so did Aspire. She was a constant in a sport that is filled with ups and downs. She was full of life and full of personality,” the post read. “Kara had a way of communicating through facial expressions that was second to none. … Aspire lost a piece of its heart today.”
University Chancellor Corey King shared the news with the community in a statement Saturday.
“We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community,” King wrote. “It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve.”
He said he had instructed that the UW-Whitewater flag on campus be flown at half-staff on the first day of classes Tuesday in honor of Welsh’s memory.
As of Sunday night, a GoFundMe fundraiser organized by family friends had raised over $14,000 of a $25,000 goal to support the Welsh family.
The fundraiser campaign’s description said the college student “had a unique ability to bring joy to any person she crossed paths with, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, unwavering support and sweet disposition.”
“We are completely heartbroken for our beloved Welsh family,” the description continued. “They will surely have so much to endure in the near future and we would like to help ease the financial burden during this period of grief, planning and travel that will surely be necessary.”
At 11:54 p.m. on Friday, police officers responded to reports of a person shot in an apartment at 147 W. Whitewater St. and discovered Welsh with multiple gunshot wounds. They were able to determine the suspect, who was present when police arrived, had had an altercation with Welsh leading up to the shooting.
Since they continue to investigate, local police officials said they will not provide additional details at this time. The Whitewater Police Department urges anyone with relevant information to contact them at 262-473-0555 option #4. Anonymous tips may also be shared using P3Tips.com.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated the name of the Whitewater Police Department. The Tribune regrets the error.