A Wisconsin college gymnast was fatally shot just before the start of classes.

A 23-year-old man is in custody after Kara Welsh, a 22-year-old woman, was discovered dead in her apartment.

A Wisconsin college gymnast was fatally shot just before the start of classes.
A Wisconsin college gymnast was fatally shot just before the start of classes.

On Tuesday, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus flew flags at half-staff in memory of Kara Welsh, a senior gymnast who was fatally shot in her apartment on Friday evening.

The university announced that Welsh, a 21-year-old national champion and two-time All-American, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds by police. A 23-year-old man who was also found in the apartment has been arrested, according to a news release from the Whitewater Police Department.

"Coach Jen Regan stated on the UW-Whitewater athletics website that expressing the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community through words is impossible. Kara was a strong athlete and a devoted teammate who brightened everyone's days. Her passing has left a void in our hearts, but her legacy will endure through Warhawk gymnastics forever."

Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect or the relationship between him and Welsh, but it is known that Welsh and the suspect knew each other and that an altercation occurred between them.

Kara Welsh school photo
Kara Welsh, 21, was a senior member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team. (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater)

The Walworth County District Attorney's Office has received charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed from the police.

The individual from Plainfield, Illinois, was pursuing a business management program. The fall semester commenced on Tuesday.

The school athletics website described Welsh as a "standout on the vault," highlighting that she has four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history.

Kara Welsh memorial
A memorial for Kara Welsh is seen in her hometown of Plainfield, Illinois. (WFLD)
Investigators at murder scene in Whitewater, WI
Police at the scene of Kara Welsh's murder in Whitewater, Wisconsin. (WKOW)

By Tuesday morning, the Welsh family, promoted by the school athletics department, had garnered over $34,000 through their GoFundMe campaign.

by Pilar Arias

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