Cause of Death Released for UW-Platteville Students Kelsie Martin & Hallie Helms
A preliminary autopsy showed Martin was shot to death, according to WKOW-TV. Helms "died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound," the television station reported.
According to the university's commencement program, both Martin and Helms graduated from the university on May 17. Hallie L. Helms received a degree in elementary education. Kelsie Martin received a degree in psychology. UW-Platteville is part of the Universities of Wisconsin system.
The university's chancellor named Martin and Helms in a statement sent to the campus community and Men's Journal. The cause of death was initially not released. However, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "several sources on campus said a shooting apparently had occurred."
The Grant County coroner's office declined to release the cause of death on May 20, saying the incident was still under investigation, but authorities later released it.
Student Amanda Sawatzki described to The Journal Sentinel hearing what sounded like a gunshot when a "loud bang" rang out in the campus dorms after hearing "the voices of two people fighting in a room down the hall."
UW-Platteville Chancellor Dr. Tammy Evetovich confirmed the names of the two dead students in an email sent to Men's Journal by the university.
"It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of two UW-Platteville students, Kelsie Martin, 22, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and Hallie Helms, 22, of Baraboo, Wisconsin. This incident was a targeted and isolated event between the two individuals. Families of the students have been notified," the email reads.
Martin's LinkedIn page says that she worked as an assistant director in the residence hall. The campus touted Martin in a posting on Facebook.
"I own over 400 books and want to have my own in home library one day," the post quotes her as saying. It also quotes her as saying she applied to be an RA "to help people the same way my RA helped me" and that she enjoyed "the lasting connections I have made."
"Worked as the lead supervisor of a residence hall on campus, overseeing 8-12 RAs and SAs. Attended weekly meetings, held regular office hours, and responded to various emergencies around the hall, including but not limited to mental health, hate and bias, policy violations, and more," the LinkedIn page says.
According to WPR, the incident was "targeted" and "isolated" and both Martin and Helms lived in the dormitory.
"The UW-Platteville Police Department responded to an incident which occurred in Wilgus Hall on the afternoon of May 19th. The initial investigation has determined that this is an isolated incident and there is no on-going threat to the public," police wrote in a statement on Facebook.
In a press conference, Chief Joseph Hallman of the UW-Platteville Police Department said that, just before 4 p.m., police received a 911 call indicating a situation at Wilgus Hall, a dorm on campus.
There was not an active ongoing threat, police determined immediately, he said. They ordered the campus to shelter in place.
Just after 5 p.m., the shelter-in-place was lifted as it was determined to be an "isolated" incident, he said. He would not release whether there was a shooting, deaths, or a cause of death at that point.
Evetovich also spoke at the news conference and said officials are trying to be supportive of students, but she did not reveal additional details of the incident. Officials announced that they had cancelled final exams for the rest of the week.
Students told WAOW-TV that they were frustrated by the lack of information.
University counselors "will be offering triage counseling Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844.602.6680 or 720.272.0004, staffed by mental health professionals. The line will be available overnight from Monday into Tuesday, with hours of operation adjusted as needed based on demand," the university's email said.
"The well-being of our Pioneer community is my biggest concern. Please take the time to take care of yourself and others."
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