Friends and family are remembering a suburban college student who was shot and killed near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus Friday.
Authorities say Kara Welsh, 21, who was also a decorated gymnast after a distinguished career in suburban Plainfield, was killed following an altercation in an apartment Friday night.
As the investigation continues, a vigil was held in his honor in Plainfield.
“I miss her already and can’t believe she’s gone,” said her childhood friend Nicole Conrad.
Friends and neighbors tied ribbons to trees and placed flowers and balloons at the house where Welsh grew up.
“She was always the light in the room,” Conrad said. “She always knew how to make people laugh.”
Tessani Foster, a former gymnastics teammate of Welsh, described her friend as a “constant” in her life.
“She was always a constant in my life. We did gymnastics together for a long time and she was one of those people you could always count on,” she said.
Foster said Welsh earned All-American honors at UW-Whitewater.
“She was a real role model for me, in and out of the gym,” she said. “She would walk me to school and practice and never ask for anything in return. She was just that kind of person.”
This portrait was shared by those who knew Welsh best in his community.
“She helped me through the toughest times and was always there for me,” Conrad said. “She was a good friend.”
As the investigation continues, flags will be flown at half-staff on campus Tuesday as students return to classes after the Labor Day holiday.
NBC Chicago
