WHITEWATER, Wis. (WFRV) – A 21-year-old Illinois woman, who was a standout gymnast at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment on Friday, leading to officers arresting a 23-year-old man who was ‘known to the victim.’

According to the Whitewater Police Department, officers were first called to an apartment in the 100 block of West Whitewater Street around 11:55 p.m. on Friday, August 30. Officers arrived to find 21-year-old Kara Welsh dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers say that a 23-year-old man who was reportedly known to Welsh was at the apartment when officers arrived. The release notes that there had allegedly been ‘an altercation’ between Welsh and the suspect before the shooting happened.

The 23-year-old was subsequently arrested and taken to the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

• First-Degree Intentional Homicide
• Endangering Safety by the Use of a Dangerous Weapon
• Disorderly Conduct while Armed

Welsh, who was from Plainfield, Illinois, was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023.

We know the news of Kara’s death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve. Please know that counseling services are available to you. For students, please contact the University Health and Counseling Services. For faculty and staff, please contact Acentra, the Employee Assistance Program. Since learning of this tragedy, our colleagues across Whitewater have come together to respond and to engage in layers of support for our students, faculty and staff.  

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King

Chancellor King’s full statement can be read here.

No additional details have been released. Local 5 will update this story when more information is provided.