(DailyChive.com) – Chad Richards, a former wrestler for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been charged with the tragic shooting of his girlfriend, Kara Welsh. Kara was found dead in Richards’ apartment in Wisconsin just before midnight on August 30. The case has shocked both the university and the local community.
Richards, who is 23 years old, appeared in court on Friday via video. He faces several serious charges, the most significant being first-degree intentional homicide. He’s also facing other charges, including endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct, which only adds to the gravity of the situation.
Police responded to a call from Richards’ apartment late that night. When they arrived, they found Kara, just 21 years old, with a gunshot wound. At first, authorities believed there had been an argument that led to the shooting. However, a criminal complaint later revealed more disturbing details. Kara had been shot multiple times.
Richards himself called 911 that night, which may seem surprising given what followed. During his interview with investigators, Richards claimed that he and Kara had been arguing when she reached for his gun, which was on a nightstand. According to Richards, he managed to wrestle the gun away from her and, out of fear for his life, shot her. However, this version of events doesn’t align with the evidence.
Investigators found 11 shell casings inside the apartment, and a medical examiner confirmed that Kara had suffered eight gunshot wounds, affecting her neck, torso, and other areas. The sheer number of shots casts doubt on Richards’ claim of self-defense.
Richards is currently being held on a $1 million bond. During the investigation, Richards told police that Kara was his girlfriend. Both had been students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Richards had been part of the wrestling team for two seasons between 2020 and 2022. Kara, who was loved by many, had been a standout member of the gymnastics team. She was a national champion and a two-time All-American athlete.
Kara’s gymnastics coach, Jen Regan, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “Kara was a bright light in everyone’s life,” Regan said. “She was a powerful athlete and a dedicated teammate. Her legacy will live on through the Warhawk gymnastics team forever. There’s no way to describe the void we now feel.”
Kara’s death has left a lasting impact on her teammates, the university, and her loved ones.
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