Former college wrestler charged with the murder of Univ. of Wisconsin gymnast, Kara Welsh, claims he shot her because he ‘feared for his life’

Chad Richards, 23, made his first appearance by video link in a Walworth County courtroom Friday afternoon on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

New criminal complaint states that on the night of the shooting, cops found Richards crying in the hall outside Welsh’s apt as she lay in a ‘pool of blood’ inside

The 21-year-old Business major was found dead in her off-campus apt with eight bullet wounds on Aug. 30

11 shots were fired inside the apartment, with eight hitting Welsh in the torso and neck, prosecutors said

Richards told police he shot Welsh following an ‘altercation’ in her bedroom, she tried to grab a gun from a nightstand

He then ripped it from her hands and shot her multiple times, some while she was lying in a fetal position, according to the complaint

Chad Richards, [photo], who is facing murder charges, admitted to shooting his girlfriend, Univ. of Wisconsin gymnast, Kara Welsh, – because ‘feared for his life’ during an argument – police 

A former college wrestler charged with the murder of University of Wisconsin gymnast Kara Welsh claimed he shot her because he ‘feared for his life’, cops said. 
Chad Richards, 23, is facing murder charges over the August 30, shooting of Welsh, a 21-year-old senior majoring in business and economics, who was found dead in her off-campus apartment with eight bullet wounds. 
In a new criminal complaint, the Whitewater Police Department said on the night of the shooting, they found Richards crying in the hall outside Welsh’s apartment as she lay in a ‘pool of blood’ inside. Richards then claimed that he shot the 21-year-old following an ‘altercation’ in her bedroom where she tried to grab a gun from a nightstand, leading him to rip it from her hands and shoot her numerous times. 
The new criminal complaint described Richards as Welsh’s boyfriend, however it is not clear how long they had been dating. 

Kara Welsh, [photo], was about to start her senior year as a Business major when she was shot dead in her apt. near UW-Whitewater on August 30, following an alleged argument with her boyfriend, Chad Richards 

Richards, 23, appeared by video link in a Walworth County courtroom Friday afternoon for an initial appearance on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.
In the court documents, it was claimed that Richards was the one who called police to the apartment, and he told officers at the scene that he ‘shot (the victim) with the handgun because he feared for his life’ during a bedroom argument. 
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 28.
According to the complaint, which became public Friday morning, Richards called police to the crime scene – his off-campus apartment on West Whitewater Street in Whitewater,
A black gun and several spent casings were found throughout the scene.
Richards told police he and his girlfriend argued, and he got so mad he punched the door: “The defendant stated that he shot with the handgun because he feared for his life,” the complaint says.
Prosecutors said a total of 11 shots were fired inside the apartment, with eight hitting Welsh including in the torso and neck. 
Although Richards claimed he only shot Welsh because he believed his life was in danger, police claimed that ballistics evidence showed he fired several shots while she was in the fetal position. 

Prosecutors said a total of 11 shots were fired inside the apartment, with eight hitting Welsh including in the torso and neck. The shooter Chad Richards [photo], appeared in court Friday. Bond was set at $1 million

After police found Richards distraught at the scene, he was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, disorderly conduct while armed, and endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon. 
He appeared in court on Friday and was slapped with a $1 million bond, with several members of Welsh’s family also present in the hearing. 
‘In addition to her high-caliber gymnastics, Welsh was a dedicated and supportive teammate. Her big personality and passion for motivating those around her helped her teammates succeed.’
A GoFundMe has been set up for Welsh’s grieving family, describing Welsh as a ‘sweet’ girl who had her life ‘abruptly cut short… by a heartless act of violence.’

Killed: Business major Kara Welsh [photo], who won a national title on the vault in her junior year, was a star athlete on the gymnastics program at UW-Whitewater, looking forward to the commencement of her senior year

Local media quote friends as saying Richards had been helping Welsh her move into her off-campus apt in Whitewater [photo], when he shot and killed her, before calling cops. Officers recovered a handgun and shell casings at the scene

It reads: ‘Kara was a daughter, sister, dear friend and teammate. Kara 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.
‘Kara was excited to be in her rising senior year as a gymnast at UW-Whitewater which was abruptly cut short on August 30th, by a heartless act of violence.’ 

I ‘can’t even wrap my head around how someone could do this, let alone to such a beautiful person,’ said Welsh’s former teammate Sierra Brooks [right]

Welsh, described as ‘A phenom on the vault,’ by her college coach, holds four of the top eight scores recorded by the school’s gymnast in program history

Kara’s killer, Chad Richards [photo] was listed on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s wrestling team roster from 2020-2022, and police said he was Welsh’s boyfriend. He has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide 

Welsh’s former teammate Sierra Brooks said she ‘can’t even wrap my head around how someone could do this, let alone to such a beautiful person’.
‘No number of pictures or videos can truly capture how much of a joy you were to be around. A person who is consistently kind and supportive, while always putting a smile on your face. What more could you ask for?’ she said. 
‘Thank you for all the years together, Kara. Wish there were plenty more.’
Richards was also a student at UW-Whitewater, and had previously been a part of the college’s wrestling team from 2020-2022. 

Kara Welsh [photo], has been described as a beloved sister, daughter, teammate and friend who brought joy to all she crossed paths with

In a heartbreaking tribute the victim’s family said they were ‘still trying to wrap our heads around’ the tragedy. 
Her GoFundMe has raised more that $51,000, ahead of its $40,000 goal.