National Title Champion Gymnast Kara Welsh Fatally Shot at Age 21

Kara Welsh, who was entering her senior year at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a star member of the Warhawks gymnastics team, died after being shot multiple times on August 30. She was 21 years old.

The Whitewater Police Department said the shooting took place around 11:54 p.m.inside an apartment in the 100 block of West Whitewater Street following an altercation between Welsh and the 23-year-old suspect. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was taken into custody and is being held at Walworth County Jail, per WGN 9 .

"He has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed," the outlet reported.

Welsh, who won the national individual title on vault in 2023, was majoring in management in College of Business and Economics. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King shared an emotional statement after confirming the student's death.

"We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community," King wrote in part. "It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve.

"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."

Welsh's athlete bio stated that she chose to attend Wisconsin-Whitewater "because she fell in love with the campus and the people."

Aspire Gymnastics Academy shared a powerful tribute to Welsh on Facebook.

They wrote, "She was a constant in a sport that is filled with ups and downs. She was full of life and full of personality. Kara had a way of communicating through facial expressions that was second to none. Through the years we had the opportunity to watch Kara become a wonderful woman who pushed herself to succeed at UW-Whitewater in the gym and in the classroom. We’re so thankful we got to see Kara multiple times this summer as she came in to train while back home. Aspire lost a piece of its heart today. Kara, we love you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy, Tom, and Kaeli as well as the rest of her Aspire and Warhawk families."

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