Loves Park man charged with killing Wisconsin college gymnast

WHITEWATER, Wis. (WTVO) — A former UW-Whitewater wrestler, Chad Richards, 23, of Loves Park, has been identified as the suspect in the killing of gymnast Kara Welsh on Friday.

On Friday, Aug. 30, officers responded to the 100 block of West Whitewater Street to investigate reports of a shooting and found Welsh, 21, dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers also found Richards inside the apartment, officials said.

Whitewater Police said Richards knew Welsh but did not elaborate on the relationship. The pair had gotten into an argument before the shooting, police said.

“Kara was a true Warhawk – an amazing person, student and athlete,” the university’s athletic director, Ryan Callahan, said in a statement . “We are all lucky to have spent time with her over the past three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better.”

Richards is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.

He is being held in the Walworth County Jail. In addition to competing in wrestling at UW Whitewater, he also was a wrestler at Harlem High School.

Welsh was a two-time All-American for the UW Whitewater gymnastics team.

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