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Former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler Chad Richards claimed self-defense in relation to the murder of his girlfriend, former national champion gymnast Kara Welsh, officials confirmed via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Richards, 23, who competed in the 197-pound weight class, claims he "feared for his life" during a heated argument with Welsh, 21, that resulted in her death on August 30, claiming he ripped her gun away to protect himself before firing.
“The defendant stated that he shot (the victim) with the handgun because he feared for his life,” a recent criminal complaint obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states.
Richards said Welsh grabbed a gun from her bedroom nightstand, which led to him wrestling it away from her. The criminal complaint, however, states that Welsh was in the fetal position when Richards fired some of the eight shots at her.
Police said Richards was found crying outside the apartment located near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus as Welsh was "lying on the floor in a pool of blood." Richards was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, disorderly conduct while armed and endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and is currently being held at the Walworth County jail on a $1 million bond.
Welsh, a management major, won an individual title on the vault at the NCAA Division III championships and was set to start her senior year.