A Plainfield native who was entering her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was killed Friday night, school officials said. Friends, mentors and fellow gymnasts at home and at school remember her as a sunny, bubbly person who took her passion for the sport to heart.
Whitewater police identified her as Kara Welsh, 21. On Saturday afternoon, a 23-year-old man was arrested, taken to the Walworth County Jail and charged with first-degree murder. He was also charged with endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed, police said.
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 biography from the university’s gymnastics team.
“It is impossible to describe in words the impact Kara has had on the Warhawk community,” UW-Whitewater women’s gymnastics head coach Jen Regan said in a statement released Sunday afternoon. “A powerful athlete, dedicated teammate and light in everyone’s dark days, Kara truly uplifted each of us during her journey 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, posted on the official UW-Whitewater athletics website, Welsh was described as a “vault phenom.” She holds four of the eight highest scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history. But she was also described as someone who consistently motivated and supported her teammates.
“Kara was a true Warhawk – an extraordinary person, student and athlete,” athletic director Ryan Callahan said. “We were all fortunate to spend time with her over the last three years. She was selfless and made everyone around her better. Our thoughts are with her mother, 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 in college and whenever she came back to practice during breaks when she was home.”
“As Kara grew, so did Aspire. She was a constant in a sport filled with ups and downs. She was full of life and personality,” the post read. “Kara had a way of communicating through facial expressions that was unmatched. … Aspire lost a piece of her heart today.”
University Chancellor Corey King shared the news with the community in a statement Saturday.
“We know the news of Kara’s passing is heartbreaking for our close-knit campus community,” King wrote. “This is a time when we are all called to support one another, reflect and grieve.”
He said he asked that the UW-Whitewater flag on campus be lowered to 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 more than $14,000 of a $25,000 goal to support the Welsh family.
The fundraising campaign description said the student “had a unique ability to bring joy to anyone she encountered, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humor, unwavering support and sweet disposition.”
“We are deeply saddened for our beloved Welsh family,” the description continues. “They will surely have much to endure in the near future and we would like to help ease the financial burden during this time of mourning, planning and travel that will surely be necessary.”
On Friday at 11:54 p.m., officers responded to calls for a person shot at an apartment at 147 W. Whitewater St. and found Welsh with multiple gunshot wounds. They were able to determine that the suspect, who was present when police arrived, had gotten into an altercation with Welsh prior to the shooting.
Local law enforcement said they will not be providing additional details at this time as they continue their investigation. The Whittaker Police Department urges anyone with relevant information to contact them at 262-473-0555, option 4. Anonymous tips can also be shared through P3Tips.com.
