A college gymnast has been shot dead inside an off-campus apartment.

Police arrested a 23-year-old man and charged him with first-degree intentional homicide over the incident, which took place near the University of Wisconsin Whitewater on Friday night.

Kara Welsh, the 21-year-old victim, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds just before midnight in her unit near campus.

Police allege she knew the man accused of her murder, but the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.

Welsh was a star athlete for her college, having won a national title on the vault in 2023.

Her college team coach said in a statement: 'A phenom on the vault, Welsh holds four of the top eight scores recorded by a Warhawk gymnast in program history on the apparatus.

‘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.’

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Police said in a statement: ‘Through investigation, it was determined that leading up to the shooting, an altercation had occurred between the two.’

The investigation is ongoing and police are urging the community to come forward with any relevant information.

Welsh was majoring in business and economics, University Chancellor Corey King said.