Police in Wisconsin have laid charges against the man who is accused of fatally shooting a champion gymnast.
Chad T. Richards allegedly shot Kate Welsh multiple times during a dispute on Aug. 30 at an apartment near the University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus.
She was found dead at the scene and Richards was arrested shortly after and taken to jail.
While police have not confirmed the nature of the relationship between the two, friends told local media they had been dating and Richards was helping Welsh move into her dorm.
Richards appeared on Tuesday at the Walworth County Courthouse where a judge set his bond at $1 million, citing a significant flight risk.
Cops have requested that the district attorney brings charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.
Welsh won an individual national title on the vault for the school’s gymnastics team last year.
Richards is listed on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s 2021-22 wrestling team roster and was majoring in finance, according to reports.
“We’re all still trying to wrap our heads around this,” the victim’s cousin Shane Welsh said.
“There’s so many emotions we’re all feeling by everyone that’s family, friends, classmates, coaches. We’re all so broken by this.”
A GoFundMe set up to help her family has raised more than $47,000 as of Thursday morning.
“Kara was a daughter, sister, dear friend and teammate who grew up in Plainfield, Illinois,” the page reads.
“Kara had a unique ability to bring joy to any person she crossed paths with, always putting a smile on people’s faces with her sense of humour, unwavering support and sweet disposition.
“Kara, 21 years old, was excited to be in her rising senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater which was abruptly cut short on August 30th, by a heartless act of violence. We are completely heartbroken for our beloved Welsh family — Nancy, Tom, and Kaeli — as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
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