Community mourns suburban gymnast fatally shot near UW-Whitewater: ‘Her loss is going to be felt forever’ [Video]

PLAINFIELD, Ill. – The community of Plainfield is mourning the loss of a standout gymnast who was tragically killed while away at college in Wisconsin.

Tributes are now pouring in for Kara Welsh, who leaves behind her parents and a sister.

The Plainfield native dedicated much of her free time to training at Aspire Gymnastics Academy in Joliet.

The 21-year-old was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday. Welsh was majoring in business management and was heading into her senior year. Whitewater police have arrested a 23-year-old on a first-degree murder charge.

Counseling services are available to UW-Whitewater students, faculty and staff. The school’s flag will also fly at half-staff on Tuesday when the fall semester begins.

Welsh was a member of the Warhawk gymnastics team and last year, she won the individual national title on vault at the NCAA Division III Championships.

“It’s a very …