Whitewater shooting: Chad Richards headed to trial

Whitewater, Wisconsin – A man from Illinois accused of murdering a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student was scheduled for court on Friday.

Chad Richards, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder for the August shooting. 21-year-old Cara Welsh. In addition to being a student, Welsh was a national champion and two-time All-American gymnast.

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Shooting scene

The police were called to the city center for a report of a crime Whitewater apartment shortly before midnight on August 30. Richards called and said the woman was dying; Officers found him on the phone, crying in the hallway, and brought him out.

Officers entered the apartment and found Welsh on the floor in a pool of blood, according to the complaint. She had no pulse and was not breathing. An autopsy showed that she had eight gunshot wounds.

According to court records, detectives said Welsh’s injuries were consistent with some of the shots being fired while the gunman was standing over her while she was in the fetal position on the floor.

The prosecutor’s office said that the police found a gun and several shell casings. There were also several holes in the bedroom door, apparently someone kicked or punched them.

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In custody

In a Mirandized interview, the complaint says Richards told detectives it was at his apartment. He said he and his girlfriend Welsh had an argument, but he did not remember what the argument was about.

According to prosecutors, Richards said he became so angry that he kicked the door. He also said that while they were arguing in the bedroom, Welsh grabbed his gun from the nightstand. He said he wrestled the gun from her and shot Welsh because he feared for his life. He then called his father and 911.

Court documents show Richards is being held in the Walworth County Jail on $1 million bond. Richards’ attorney said his client is also a student at UW-Whitewater.