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Chad T. Richards, alleged suspect in murder of gymnast Kara Welsh, appears in court
By Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY,
2 hours ago
UW-Whitewater Warhawk Athletics said "our hearts are broken" after Kara Welsh, a gymnastics national champion, was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment Friday night, July 30, 2024. Police arrested a 23-year-old man, who they say knew Welsh, in connection with the fatal shooting. UW-Whitewater Warhawk Athletics
Earlier on Tuesday, in a Facebook post, Whitewater (Wisconsin) Police identified Richards as the suspect in the killing. The post indicates that police have forwarded charges of first-degree Intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed to the District Attorney's office.
Richards, 23, is a former wrestler and fellow student at UW-Whitewater.
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel , part of the USA TODAY Network, Judge Estee Scholtz on Tuesday cited the violent nature of the incident and potential flight risk for keeping the bond at $1 million. Scholtz also prohibited Richards from setting foot on campus but allowed him to stay in contact with the University only electronically and by phone.
Here's everything you need to know about the case:
Who was Kara Welsh?
Welsh, 21, was a Plainfield, Illinois, native and a member of the Warhawks gymnastics team, the University said Saturday in a statement . At the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division III National Championships in March 2023, Welsh won an individual national title in vault. A two-time All American, Welsh was one of the most decorated gymnasts in school history.
According to an Instagram post from December 2023, Welsh was pursuing a bachelor's of business administration, with a sports management emphasis.
"To put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community is impossible," UW-Whitewater gymnastics coach Jen Regan said Friday in a statement published on the athletic department's official website . "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."
Police also said that a 23-year-old man who was known to Welsh, though not initially identified, was present at the apartment when officers arrived. Police said their investigation determined that the two had been in an altercation prior to the shooting and that the man had been arrested.
Richards was a member of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 wresting teams, his freshman and sophomore years, according to the UW-Whitewater's wrestling roster . He appears to still be enrolled at the school.
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