Plainfield Mourns: Kara Welsh, Gymnast, Fatally Shot in Wisconsin
The community of Plainfield, Illinois, is mourning the tragic loss of a young woman who was senselessly killed on Friday night within the confines of her college apartment in Wisconsin.
The victim, Kara Welsh, a 21-year-old gymnast of notable acclaim hailing from Plainfield, was a dedicated student at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.
According to the Whitewater Police Department, the shooting occurred around 11:54 p.m. at an off-campus residence situated on the 100 block of West Whitewater Street in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Authorities suggest that Welsh was shot multiple times by a man she was reportedly acquainted with, although the nature of their relationship remains unclear. A confrontation inside the apartment escalated into violence, ending in Welsh’s tragic death. Officers arriving at the scene found her lifeless body.
The suspect, a 23-year-old man, was apprehended at the apartment shortly after the incident. He is currently in custody at a Walworth County jail, facing a multitude of charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.
Ryan Callahan, the university’s athletic director, conveyed the heartbreaking news to the gymnastics team on Saturday night.
“Kara was the kind of person whose presence was felt by everyone around her—her leadership, her vibrant personality, and her unwavering team spirit touched so many lives,” Callahan shared.
The loss reverberates through Plainfield, leaving many who knew and loved Welsh grappling with overwhelming grief.
Nick Becker, one of Welsh’s former coaches from Joliet who mentored her for nearly a decade, expressed the difficulty in comprehending the tragedy.
“As a coach, you tell your kids to make good choices, to do the right thing, and everything will be okay… and then something like this happens,” Becker said. “Kara was making the right choices, doing everything right… it’s just incomprehensible.”
Sarah Torello, a childhood friend who grew up alongside Welsh in Plainfield, reminisced about their shared memories, including playful times spent on a trampoline.
“My entire childhood is filled with memories of Kara,” Torello said. “We went to school together, played together, ran around the yard together. Every picture I have with her is filled with laughter. She was the funniest, most amazing person I knew… and she was incredible at gymnastics.”
Welsh was on the cusp of her senior year at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, majoring in management and leading her gymnastics team to numerous victories.
“She always came to practice with a smile, ready to work hard,” Becker added. “Her parents clearly raised her right—she was respectful, diligent, and just an all-around great person.”
In a statement released on Saturday, UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King expressed the profound sorrow felt by the university community.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Kara Welsh, a beloved member of our University of Wisconsin-Whitewater family. Kara, a 21-year-old from Plainfield, Illinois, was tragically killed off-campus on Friday, August 30, 2024. She was a management major in our College of Business and Economics and a standout on the Warhawk gymnastics team, earning a national title on vault in 2023. The news of Kara’s passing is devastating to our close-knit community, and we must come together to support one another during this difficult time.”
The gymnastics team also shared the news of Welsh’s passing on social media, with grief counselors available to offer support to those in need.
As classes are set to resume on Tuesday at UW-Whitewater, the community continues to reel from the tragic event, which took place near a bustling area popular among college students.
On Monday morning, a remembrance will be held on the street where Welsh grew up in Plainfield. Neighbors are planning to tie white ribbons on trees near the family’s home as a tribute to the young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
