21-05-2025
UW-Platteville students died in shootings, one self-inflicted, officials say
The two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students who died at Wilgus Hall did so in shootings, officials said more than 24 hours after the May 19 incident led to a temporary lockdown on campus.
Kelsie Martin, a Beloit native and the dorm's assistant resident director, died from a gunshot wound after being transported and flown to UW Hospital, according to a May 20 statement from the university.
Hallie Helms, a Baraboo native who lived at the dorm, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
The university said no other people are suspected to have been involved in the incident.
The two women, both 22 years old and graduated two days ago, were identified by the university late May 19 after notification of family. The incident led to a shelter-in-place order on campus that was lifted quickly.
But for hours after, officials said very little about what happened.
'I just am a combination of stress, anxiety,' said 23-year-old Lucas Carlson. The senior studying mechanical engineering is from a generation that practices active shooter drills in school settings.
He said he knew to "run, hide, fight" and he wondered what should be his next move: Run or hide? He ran.
As those on campus scrambled for safety and comfort, parents miles away were hearing many different stories.
It was unconfirmed for more than a day that the incident involved a gun, for hours the university didn't confirm a death had happened until around midnight, and it wasn't immediately clear how many people were injured.
Martin, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms, who graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree, left some online record on social media.
Martin was the lead supervisor at the dorm, according to her LinkedIn page. The university spotlighted her in a Facebook post last year, saying she owned more than 400 books and wanted to have a library in her home one day.
She was a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus,' the post said. It praised her 'phenomenal work' in her position at the dorm.
Helms envisioned herself as a difference making educator, according to her online activity.
'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote online. 'I want to change students for the better.'
With the semester scheduled to end May 23, the university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week and said grades will be handled on an individual basis. Students with questions are being asked to contact the dean's office for their specific college.
University police are asking anyone with information about the May 19 incident to call them at 608-342-1584.
The university is offering counseling services for walk-in sessions on May 21 through May 23 from 8 a.m. to 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 through May 21.
The UW Mental Health 24/7 line is available at 888-531-2142.
Kelly Meyerhofer, David Clarey and Sophie Carson contributed reporting to this story.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Platteville students died in shooting, one self-inflicted
