Midwest
All-American Wisconsin college gymnast shot and killed days before classes begin, suspect in custody
Flags are flying at half-staff on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus on Tuesday in honor of senior gymnast Kara Welsh, who was shot and killed in her apartment Friday evening.
Welsh, 21, was a national champion and two-time All-American, according to a statement from the university. She was found by police with multiple gunshot wounds, the Whitewater Police Department said in a news release. Chad T. Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Illinois, who was also found in the apartment, has been arrested.
“To put into words the impact Kara had on the Warhawk community is impossible,” Coach Jen Regan said in the statement posted to the UW-Whitewater athletics website. “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. 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.”
Authorities say Welsh and Richards knew each other and that investigators determined “an altercation had occurred between the two.” Authorities have not publicly identified their relationship.
CALIFORNIA DOCTOR WHO TREATED CELEBRITIES GUNNED DOWN IN TARGETED KILLING; SUSPECT AT LARGE
Kara Welsh, 21, was a senior member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team. (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater)
Whitewater Police Department identified the suspect who killed Kara Welsh as Chad T. Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Illinois. (Whitewater Police Department)
Police have forwarded charges of first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed charges to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. Richards is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, police said.
FLORIDA ‘DEADPOOL KILLER’ WADE WILSON GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR ‘CRUEL’ MURDERS OF 2 WOMEN
Welsh, a Plainfield, Illinois, native was studying business management. Classes for the fall semester started Tuesday.
A news release on the school athletics website described Welsh as a “phenom on the vault,” noting that she has four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history.
A memorial for Kara Welsh is seen in her hometown of Plainfield, Illinois. (WFLD)
Police at the scene of Kara Welsh’s murder in Whitewater, Wisconsin. (WKOW)
As of Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe campaign for the Welsh family promoted by the school athletics department, had raised more than $34,000.
Read the full article from Here
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A woman was found dead in the backyard of a home on the city’s West side Friday morning.
Officers responded to the 3400 block of Bosworth Rd. around 9 a.m. for a welfare check.
This is in the city’s West Boulevard neighborhood.
When officers arrived at the home, they found the victim.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Officer will now determine the victim’s name and cause of death.
A child connected to the woman has been located and confirmed safe, said Cleveland police.
Police added the circumstances regarding the death remain under investigation.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
In Illinois, new legislation is designed to keep the cannabis market safe and growing.
Senate Bill 3222 prohibits the sale of certain intoxicating hemp products to anyone under 21.
Beginning in November, some products will be required to have child-proof packaging.
Misleading marketing and packaging will be banned. The law also allows all Illinois cannabis retailers to register as medical dispensaries and allows curbside and drive-thru pickup until 2:00 a.m. for all customers. The law also expands conditions to qualify for a medical card, which can now be certified through telehealth.
For more information, click here.
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Two women are facing criminal charges following a prostitution investigation at an apartment complex in Westfield.
According to a news release Thursday, the investigation began June 23, stemming from a Crime Stoppers tip about suspected prostitution and possible human trafficking at The Farmhouse at Lantern Commons Apartments, near the 16000 block of Gleam Way.
On June 25, detectives arranged a meeting, entered the residence and encountered two adult women. One of the women agreed to engage in sexual activity in exchange for $300. Both women were detained at the scene.
Detectives searched the apartment and found evidence of sexual activity and prostitution-related activity.
Yanyi Zhang faces five charges:
- Two counts of Promoting Prostitution, a Level 5 Felony.
- Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony.
- Class A Misdemeanor for prostitution.
Linxia Shi was charged with a Class A Misdemeanor for prostitution.
Zhang and Shi were offered victim assistance resources during the investigation, Westfield Police said.
A jury trial for Zhang is scheduled for Nov. 2, according to online court records.
This case marks the second prostitution investigation by the Westfield Police in the past two months, both of which were initiated by tips submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The department encourages residents to continue to report suspicious activity.
-
Cleveland, OH5 minutes agoWoman found dead in backyard of Cleveland home
-
Austin, TX12 minutes agoJuly 4th: Austin celebration preview, safety tips
-
Alabama15 minutes agoAlabama unveils the Alabama Catfish Trail
-
Alaska20 minutes agoSome of the best America has to offer can be seen at its national parks
-
Arizona27 minutes agoMilwaukee Brewers vs Arizona Diamondbacks score, lineups, live updates
-
Arkansas30 minutes agoArkansas Game and Fish ramps up lake patrols for busy Fourth of July weekend
-
California42 minutes agoMother, daughter found ‘alive and well’ after going missing on Southern California hiking trail
-
Colorado45 minutes agoThousands forced to evacuate in Colorado as wildfire spreads
