Wisconsin
Ex-Wisconsin-Whitewater Wrestler Chad Richards Arrested, Accused of Killing Gymnast
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Chad T. Richards, a 23-year-old former wrestler at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was arrested as part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Welsh, the Whitewater Police Department announced on Tuesday.
Welsh, 21, died on Friday after she was shot multiple times at an apartment building near the university campus, according to the police.
Richards appeared at the Walworth County Courthouse on Tuesday, where a judge upheld his bail of $1 million after describing him as a “significant flight risk,” Mariam Mackar reported for TMJ4.
The judge stated that Richards cannot physically make contact with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus if he posts bond, per CNN’s Dakin Andone.
The police department recommended the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office file charges against Richards including first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct while armed.
Richards has not yet been officially charged. The District Attorney plans to file charges by his next court date on Friday, Mackar reported.
Friends said Welsh and Richards were dating, 12 News’ Erica Finke reported.
The police department’s original report described a “23-year-old male” present at the scene of Welsh’s death. The police wrote that investigations “determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two.”
Welsh, a junior, was a three-time All-American gymnast who won a national vault title at the 2023 NCGA Division III National Championships.
Earlier this season she tied a program record with a 9.875 score on vault before helping the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater finish as runners-up at the 2024 NCGA championships.
Richards was listed on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling roster for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. His attorney confirmed he is a senior at the university, per Andone.