Latest news with #UniversityofWisconsin-Platteville
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
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
UW-Platteville shooting incident, 2 dead; officials release new info
The Brief UW-Platteville officials released new information about a fatal shooting at the school on Monday, May 19. Two people, an assistant resident director and a resident, died as a result of the shooting. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting. PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville released more information on Tuesday, May 20 tied to the fatal shooting at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall. What we know On Monday afternoon, May 19, UW-Platteville Police Department responded to a call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, for a disturbance. When police arrived at the hall, officers from UW-Platteville Police Department found two individuals injured, suffering from gunshot wounds. A news release says 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. Martin was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit. Based upon preliminary autopsy findings, Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The second 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. Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo. No other people are suspected to have been involved in the incident. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals. Officials are asking for anyone with information on this incident to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584. What we know Counseling resources are available to the UW-Platteville community. University Counseling will be offering walk-in urgent sessions with a counselor, Wednesday 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 through Wednesday. Another resource is the free, confidential UW Mental Health 24/7 line at 888.531.2142. Mantra Health is also available to students. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Final exams for the remainder of the week were canceled. Any students with questions are asked to contact the Dean's office for their individual college. A frequently asked questions website is available to anyone seeking additional resources. The Source The information in this post was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 University Students Found Dead From Gunshot Wounds Days After Graduation
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students were found dead from gunshot wounds in a campus residence hall on Monday, just days after the school's commencement ceremony, university officials say. The university police department revealed Tuesday that the students were Kelsie Martin of Beloit, Wisconsin, who died from a gunshot wound after being transported to a hospital, and Hallie Helms of Baraboo, Wisconsin, who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, preliminary autopsies showed. Both women were 22. 'No other subjects are suspected to have been involved in the incident,' a university statement said Tuesday. 'Further investigation continues around the circumstances surrounding the death of the two individuals.' UW-Platteville Police Chief Joe Hallman said his department received a 911 call around 4 p.m. local time Monday about an incident at Wilgus Hall, a residential building on campus. Upon arrival, they determined it was an 'isolated incident' that posed no 'active, ongoing threat,' he said at a press conference. Martin was the assistant resident director at Wilgus Hall, where Helms was a resident. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Martin had just graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology, and Helms had just graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree. A Facebook post from the university last year praised Martin as a 'growing leader and role model for young women on campus' who owned more than 400 books. In an archived personal website uncovered by the Journal-Sentinel, Helms discussed her teaching aspirations. 'I want to be the teacher who had helped, counseled, and inspired change,' she wrote. 'I want to change students for the better.' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say suicide is one of the leading types of gun deaths in the U.S., accounting for more than 20,000 deaths a year. There were more than 600 murder-suicides in the U.S. last year. Rapper Convicted For Shooting Megan Thee Stallion Stabbed In Prison Teen Accused Of Killing 4 In Georgia School Shooting Likely To Plead Guilty Eric Church Says Las Vegas Shooting 'Broke' Him
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
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
