Kara Welsh Case: Man Arrested After Gymnast Dies During Shooting

Authorities are one step closer to learning what happened to Kara Welsh.  

After the 21-year-old gymnast was killed in a fatal shooting Aug. 30 in an apartment near University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, local police confirmed they’ve arrested a suspect on suspicion of murder.  

Whitewater Police confirmed in their statement that they reported to a campus-area apartment just before midnight on Aug. 30 where they found Kara, who would have been a senior at the college, deceased with multiple gunshot wounds.  

"Also present in the apartment was a 23-year-old male who was known to the deceased female," the statement said. "Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two." 

In a subsequent statement, law enforcement confirmed the man—whose identity they did not release—was taken to Walworth County Jail and booked on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety while armed and disorderly conduct while armed. The department has also confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.

E! News has reached out to police for additional comment but has not yet heard back.

Following Kara’s death, loved ones and former coaches and teammates have all expressed their grief over losing the college athlete.

"To put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community is impossible," Coach Jen Regan said in a statement from the University’s gymnastics team Sept. 1. "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.”  

She added, “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."

UW-Whitewater’s Athletic Director and Assistant Chancellor Ryan Callahan also reflected on Kara’s loss.  

“Kara was an amazing young woman," he told local outlet WKOW Sept. 1, noting the entire community is devastated and in disbelief. “Right away you just knew there were so many people who were impacted by Kara's personality, leadership and just being a great teammate.” 

Ryan also noted as part of the team’s 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. Our hearts go out to her mom, Nancy, and the rest of her family and friends."

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