Latest news with #KelsieMartin
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
UW-Platteville shooting puts gun policies back in the spotlight
The May 19 shootings that killed two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students put campus gun policies back in the spotlight about a decade after lawmakers considered a bill loosening restrictions. Wilgus Hall assistant resident director Kelsie Martin, 22, of Beloit, was pronounced dead at UW Hospital, with a preliminary autopsy showing she died from a gunshot wound, the university said. Hallie Helms, also 22, of Baraboo, lived in Wilgus Hall and died a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the dorm. UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich said the shooting was a "targeted and isolated" incident. The university police department is leading the investigation into the apparent murder-suicide. Officials have declined to release additional details, including potential motive and the type of gun used. Here's what to know about guns on Wisconsin college campuses: Wisconsin became the 49th state to legalize the concealed carry of firearms and other weapons in 2011. The law, however, allows the state's public universities to ban guns by posting signs at the entrance of each campus building saying firearms are prohibited. The current UW System administrative code reads, 'a person is prohibited from carrying, possessing, or using any dangerous weapon on university lands or in university buildings or facilities except with the written approval of the chief administrative officer or for law enforcement purposes." UW-Platteville has not granted any exceptions, university spokesperson Christine Bellport said. The UW-Platteville Police Department offers students secure storage of sporting and hunting goods, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows, paintball guns or other legal weapons. Bellport said 23 students used the secure storage in the spring 2025 semester. Neither Martin nor Helms were among the 23 students. The university policy also allows guns in vehicles that are driven or parked in a parking facility in connection with a special event. No, there is no gun registry in Wisconsin. Concealed carry gun holders must have licenses, but these records are not considered public. A decade ago, shortly after a gunman killed nine people at an Oregon community college, debate surged around whether concealed-carry weapons should be allowed on UW campuses. Republican lawmakers introduced a bill in 2015 that would have allowed UW students and faculty to carry concealed guns inside public university and college buildings. The bill's author, then-Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, said it was not in response to the Oregon shooting and had been in the works for months in response to rising violence near the UW-Milwaukee campus, which UWM officials disputed. Kremer said the law banning concealed weapons inside campus buildings puts students at greater risk of becoming crime victims because they walk unarmed to and from class in the early morning or late evening, "often through high-crime areas." The UW-Madison Police Department opposed the bill, saying that allowing guns in a Camp Randall Stadium filled with 80,000 fans would pose a major security issue. Kremer's bill died in committee. In the same legislative session, a Democratic lawmaker introduced a bill that was essentially the mirror opposite of the GOP version. It also died without a hearing. Kelly Meyerhofer covers higher education in Wisconsin. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@ or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Platteville shooting puts gun policies back in the spotlight
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Fox News
Two students dead in suspected murder-suicide at University of Wisconsin-Platteville
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Two female students have died in a suspected murder-suicide at a residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. A spokesperson with the university confirmed with Fox News Digital that Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both 22, were found with gunshot wounds at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, in what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide at approximately 4 p.m. local time on Monday, May 19. Helms, an elementary education major, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martin, a psychology major and assistant resident director, was transported to Southwest Health, and then flown to UW Hospital, where she later died. A preliminary autopsy found that Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound, and Helms died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the school said, noting that "all indications at this time from the preliminary autopsy suggest a murder-suicide." The university's police arrived at the scene following a call for a "disturbance." Photos following the incident captured college students being escorted out of the residence halls as police investigated the incident. The school said that "no other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident." The university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week. Counseling is being offered to the campus community, and a toll-free emotional support line is available at (844)602-6680 or (720)272-0004. Helms graduated magna cum laude with a degree in elementary education, and Martin graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology on Saturday, May 17, according to the university's graduation program. Helms was from Baraboo, Wisconsin, and transferred to UW-Plateville in the spring of 2023 after attending UW-Baraboo. Martin was from Beloit, Wisconsin, and had served as an assistant resident director on campus for the past three years, according to a "Student Staff Spotlight" posted by the university residence life office on Facebook. The university said in a Facebook message on Tuesday, "Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness." "We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are. We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong," they added. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wrote on Facebook, "I've been briefed on the situation at UW-Platteville, and we will continue to remain in close contact with university officials. As we await more information, please keep UW-Platteville students, faculty, staff, and the greater Platteville community in your thoughts." The UW-Platteville Police Department declined to comment on the incident, referring Fox News Digital to the university's statement.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 University Students Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide at Residence Hall in Wisconsin: Reports
Two students have died in a "targeted and isolated" shooting at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, according to reports A statement from the school obtained by PEOPLE confirmed Kelsie Martin, 22, died from a gunshot wound, while Hallie Helms, also 22, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, per preliminary autopsy findings "No other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident," the university said in the statementTwo students have died in a suspected murder-suicide at a residence hall at a university in Wisconsin, according to reports. On the afternoon of Monday, May 19, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department "responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a disturbance," a University of Wisconsin-Platteville statement obtained by PEOPLE confirmed. "Upon arrival, law enforcement officers from UW-Platteville Police Department found two individuals injured, suffering from gunshot wounds," the release stated. The school said of the victim, "One of the individuals was identified as Kelsie Martin, 22. Martin was transported to Southwest Health, and then Med-flighted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead," adding that she was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit, Wisconsin. "Based upon preliminary autopsy findings, Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound," the school said. The statement continued, "The other individual was identified as Hallie Helms, 22, who died at the scene. Based on preliminary autopsy findings, Helms was determined to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wound," confirming she was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo, Wisconsin. Per WMTV, Fox 11 News and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. The shooting has been described as a "targeted and isolated" incident, per ABC News, citing authorities and school officials. The school said in the release obtained by PEOPLE that "no other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident," adding that the investigation is ongoing and final exams for the remainder of the week have been canceled. The school also said that counseling is available for anybody affected. According to the WPR, both of the women graduated on Saturday, May 17. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The university said in a Facebook message on Tuesday, "Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness." "We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are. We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong," they added. The UW-Platteville Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cause of Death Released for UW-Platteville Students Kelsie Martin & Hallie Helms
Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms have been named as the two students who are dead in the incident at a UW-Platteville campus dormitory in Wisconsin. Authorities say their cause of death was gunshot wounds. 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."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Two university students dead in 'targeted and isolated' campus shooting
A tragedy unfolded on a university campus Monday, May 18, after two 22-year-old female students died from gunshot wounds Terrified university students were put into a complete lockdown on Monday, after police received reports of gunfire on campus. In the shooting at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, two 22-year-old female students died from gunshot wounds. The tragic incident has been described as "targeted and isolated," with American police not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths of the students, Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, at the on-site residence Wilgus Hall. A 911 call was made about the gunfire just before 4pm, prompting a variety of emergency services to rush to the scene. "It was determined relatively soon that it was not an active, ongoing threat," the university's Police Chief Joe Hallman said in the aftermath. Students in libraries and lecture halls were advised to shelter in place for an hour while cops investigated the circumstances of the shooting. Paramedics initially transported Kelsie to Southwest Health, from where she was taken by helicopter to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The 22-year-old worked as the Resident Director at Wilgus Hall, as well as a psychology major. Hallie Helms lived at Wilgus Hall resident and was an elementary education major. Preliminary autopsy results from the two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students showed that Kelsie Martin had tragically died from a gunshot wound, while Hallie Helms' gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Police have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the two deaths and that both of their families have been notified. All final exams scheduled for this week have been cancelled in light of the tragedy, with the university offering free counselling sessions to affected students that will run through the summer. Chancellor Tammy Evetovich told students that, in light of the deaths of Helms and Martin, they should "Please take the time to take care of yourself and others." If you need support for your mental health the following resources are available The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to. Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@ Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won't show up on your phone bill. PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal. Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. If U Care Share is a suicide prevention and postvention support charity. For free confidential text support text IUCS to 85258. James' Place
