The family of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast Kara Welsh said they are "broken" and experiencing "so many emotions" over her death as police announced the arrest of her alleged murderer.
The 21-year-old college senior of Plainfield, Illinois, was allegedly shot to death Friday in her off-campus apartment in Whitewater, Wisconsin, according to authorities.
Responding officers found Kara, a national title-winning athlete, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
An unidentified 23-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested on the scene and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct, police confirmed.
Authorities did not elaborate on a motive or the relationship between the victim and suspect.
"We're all still trying to wrap our heads around this," Kara's cousin, Shane Welsh, wrote on Facebook Monday. "There's so many emotions we're all feeling by everyone, family, friends, classmates, coaches."
"We're all so broken by this," he added. "Please pray for my Aunt Nancy, Uncle Tommy and Cousin Kaeli. I just don't understand this world."
According to the university, Kara was a business and economics major, "and was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023."
The UW-Whitewater flag will fly at half-staff Tuesday, in honor of Kara.
"We know the news of Kara's death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community," Chancellor Corey King said in a statement over the weekend. "It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve."
According to a GoFundMe launched to help offset funeral costs, Kara was remembered as a "daughter, sister, dear friend, and teammate" who "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 humor, unwavering support and sweet disposition."
