Gymnast Kara Welsh dies at 21 after shooting in Whitewater, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Welsh died August 30 from multiple gunshot wounds, local police said.

Whitewater police said in an Aug. 31 news release that officers found “a dead 21-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds” after responding to “a report of a person with a gunshot wound” at a Whitewater, Wisconsin, apartment. Police also noted the presence of a 23-year-old man who was arrested and knew the dead woman. “An altercation occurred between the two,” Whitewater police said in the news release before the shooting.

In another police press release, Welsh was later identified as the victim.

Whitewater police also said they arrested the 23-year-old male suspect and booked him into the Walworth County Jail, charging him with first-degree premeditated murder, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed.

Corey King, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, released a statement on Aug. 31 announcing Welsh's death and more details about her life. King also said that information about a memorial service will follow soon and that the school flag will fly at half-staff on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in honor of Welsh.

Welsh was from Plainfield, Illinois, and was “a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team that won an individual national title on vault in 2023,” King wrote.

Welsh studied management at the school's Faculty of Economics.

“We know the news of Kara's passing is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called to support one another, process the death, and grieve,” King wrote, providing information about resources available on campus for students, faculty, and staff to cope with the aftermath of Welsh's death.

Numerous expressions of condolence have been received from the gymnastics community.

USA Gymnastics posted on X on September 1: “We extend our deepest condolences to Kara's family, friends and teammates at @UWWGymnastics.”