Complaint: Boyfriend shot UW-Whitewater gymnast multiple times, charged with homicide

 

WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior suspected of killing a fellow student who was a star gymnast has been formally charged.

Chad Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Illinois, was charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon.

Kara Welsh was fatally shot at an apartment Friday night, Aug. 30, near Whitewater and Main Street. A criminal complaint says Welsh was found with her arms folded underneath her chest as if she was holding her stomach.

According to the complaint, Richards told investigators Welsh was his girlfriend, and the incident happened at his apartment. Richards allegedly stated that the two got into an argument, but he did not remember what it was about. Richards got so mad, according to the complaint, that he punched a door during the argument.

Richards told investigators while arguing, Welsh grabbed his handgun from a nightstand, and he tried to wrestle it away from her.

Richards, according to the complaint, stated he shot Welsh because he "feared for his life."

According to the complaint, Welsh suffered eight gunshot wounds, including wounds to her neck, wrist, abdomen, thighs and lower back.

The complaint says the evidence at the scene is consistent with Richards standing over Welsh shooting, with Welsh in the fetal position on the floor.

Following the shooting, Richards reportedly told authorities he called his father and then 911.

On campus, students said Welsh's death is an ongoing conversation and it is deeply unsettling.

"It's crazy not knowing her personally and just hearing about her that way," UW-Whitewater junior Ashlee Erikson said. "It's definitely crazy to hear that allegedly he did shoot her to death. It is, it could've been anybody."

There was a private vigil on Thursday for Welsh on campus, and while Junior Kai Ramirez was unable to attend, he tells CBS 58 that honoring her in that way does bring healing to students.

"I had no idea who she was and it kind of sucks that that's how you find out about people," he said. "I think a lot of it has to do with the age, just 21, [that's] really young. That could've been anyone."

Richards is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 28.