Suspect ID'd in UW-Whitewater student shooting, bail set at $1M
WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Whitewater police have released the name of the suspect accused of fatally shooting 21-year-old UW-Whitewater student, Kara Welsh.
Officials have arrested 23-year-old Chad T. Richards of Loves Park, Illinois. Richards is a senior at UW-Whitewater studying communications.
Police said they responded to an apartment Friday night, Aug. 30, near Whitewater and Main Street. An investigation determined an altercation occurred between Welsh and Richards.
Police identified the victim as Kara Welsh, from Plainfield, Illinois. She was majoring in management at the College of Business and Economics and was a member of the Warhawk gymnastics team. She was a two-time all-American who won the DIII vault title in 2023.
On Tuesday, Richards appeared virtually in court, asking for a reduced bond. Before making a decision, the judge heard from Welsh's family. Her older sister, Kaeli Welsh, said Kara was much more than a gymnast.
"My little sister Kara was the light of my life; she was always smiling," Kaeli Welsh said. "There was nothing that Kara couldn't do. She was a friend to everyone. Giving the shirt off her back to anyone that asked. She was smart, determined and full of life."
The judge kept the bond at the previously set $1 million despite Richards having no prior violent offenses.
"Given the exposure and potential penalty associated with these offenses, there is a significant flight risk if he were released on bond," Walworth County Judge Estee Scholtz said. "Even more significant is the need to protect the community. Given the gravity of this offense. It is the most grave offense that can be charged in the state of Wisconsin and carries with it a life of imprisonment."
Flags at UW-Whitewater flew at half-staff on Tuesday in Welsh's honor. A GoFundMe has also been created for her family.
"There is nothing that I wouldn't do for her, so I will be here, making sure Kara is fought for just as hard she would've fought for me," Kaeli Welsh said.
"My worst fear has always been losing my best friend and now that it's happened, I will not stop fighting for her and telling her story to any and everyone that will listen."
Richards is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Walworth County Courthouse for his initial appearance.
Referred charges to the district attorney's office include:
- First-degree intentional homicide
- Endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon
- Disorderly conduct while armed