...
By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students were found dead on campus two days after graduation.
Why It Matters
UW-Platteville Chancellor Dr. Tammy Evetovich announced in an email to the campus community on Monday that Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both 22, were dead following "a targeted and isolated event between the two individuals."
Read More on News
Martin was determined to have died by gunshot wound based on preliminary autopsy findings, the university said in an update sent to Newsweek. Helms was determined to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wound.
...
What To Know
Martin graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and Helms graduated magna cum laude with a degree in elementary education on Saturday, according to the university's graduation program.
Martin was from Beloit, Wisconsin. She was an assistant resident director on campus, according to a "Student Staff Spotlight" posted by the university's residence life office on Facebook.
She worked in residence life for three years. She said she wanted to "help people the same way my RA helped me through my first year on campus."
Martin said she owned over 400 books and wanted to have a home library one day.
Helms is from Baraboo, Wisconsin. She had a personal website where she posted about herself and her teaching philosophy. On an archived version of the website, she said she was inspired by her favorite teachers, who were "exceptionally helpful, and always displayed their enthusiasm for whatever activity we were doing."
She graduated from Baraboo High School in 2021 with three academic awards. She transferred to UW-Plateville in the spring of 2023 after attending UW-Baraboo.
She also said she collected nail polish and enjoyed fishing, swimming and hiking at Devil's Lake each summer.
UW-Platteville Police Department responded to an incident at Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall at the university, for a disturbance on Monday afternoon. Officials found two individuals, identified as Martin and Helms, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Martin was transported to Southwest Health, and then med-flighted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Helms died at the scene.
Police said no other individuals are suspected to have been involved in the incident.
Joe Hallman, chief of police with UW-Platteville Police Department, said at a press conference that a 911 call was placed just before 4 p.m.
The campus was told to shelter in place immediately. The alert was lifted after 5 p.m.
What People Are Saying
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, 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."
Hallman, at a press conference: "First and foremost, our concern is for our students and their safety."
What Happens Next
Officials are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584.
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.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Update 5/21/25 10:07 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional comment from UW-Platteville.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines