UPDATE: UW-Platteville confirms the deaths of two students were the result of a murder suicide

May 20, 2025

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Authorities UW-Plateville and the Platteville Police have now released more information about the deaths of two students on campus at a residence hall on Monday. Authorities now say the two students died as the result of an apparent murder-suicide at Wilgus Hall residence hall. 

UW-Platteville Police Department reports that both individuals died as a result of gunshot wounds. 

Authorities say 22-year-old Kelsie Martin was taken to Southwest Health, and then Med-flighted to UW Hospital where she was pronounced dead. UW-Platteville reported Martin was the Wilgus Hall Assistant Resident Director and a psychology major from Beloit. A preliminary autopsy showed Martin died by gunshot wound. 

Authorities reported that the other individual, identified as 22-year-old Hallie Helms, died at the scene. A preliminary autoposy showed Helms died by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo, Wis. 

Authorities say the do not believe anyone else is suspected to have been involved in the shooting. 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584. 

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UPDATE: UW-Platteville confirms two students dead in isolated incident

May 20, 2025

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Police and University officials released few details at a press conference Monday evening regarding an emergency shelter-in-place order issued Monday afternoon, but late Monday night UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy K. Evetovich confirmed that two students Kelsie Martin, 22, of Beloit, and Hallie Helms, 22, of Baraboo, died in the incident at Wilgus Hall earlier in the day.

Wilgus Hall is a student residence hall accommodates 230 residents, according to UW-Platteville’s website. It is one of 10 residence halls, and more than 2,800 students live on campus.

Few other details have been released including how the two students died or a possible motive. Authorities were clear that they believe there is no threat to the rest of the students or staff as of Monday night, but are still investigating exactly what happened.

“It’s a difficult situation right now that we’re investigating, the incident that occurred within Wilgus, and we’re really not at liberty to go into all the details of that because it’s an active, fluid investigation,” UW-Platteville Police Chief Joseph Hallman said in a press conference Monday evening. “We’ve brought in some outside resources to assist us as well. We want to make sure we get this right.”

When pressed for information about the situation, including whether weapons were involved, Hallman said he could not elaborate. He did say one person was transported to a hospital, but offered no details about who the individual was or the extent of their injuries.

What we know so far:

Shortly before 4 p.m., a 911 call was made in regards to an incident at Wilgus Hall. Emergency personnel responded immediately and safety protocols were activated, alerting students and staff to shelter in place at 4:24 p.m.

At 5:03 p.m. another alert went out that stated the shelter-in-place order was cleared.

“Law enforcement has confirmed that there is no active threat to the campus community. Emergency responders remain on the scene to provide assistance. Please continue to avoid Wilgus Hall. We will be communicating with residents of Wilgus Hall via campus email. More information will be sent via your university email.”

At around 11 p.m. the University sent an email to students and staff that said the families of the two women had been notified and released their names.

Exams canceled, counseling available

The incident came near the end of the spring semester, on the first day of final exams, which were scheduled to run through May 23. The University canceled exams for the rest of the week, and said final grades would be figured out on a case-by-case basis.

The university is offering counseling services through Mantra’s Care Hub, available to students at any time. Additionally, University Counseling will provide triage counseling services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Governor Evers made statement to the press and on social media about the incident.

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Investigation under way after UW-Platteville issues, and then lifts, shelter-in-place alert

May 19, 2025

PLATTEVILLE, Wis – At 4:24 p.m. today UW-Platteville issued a shelter in place alert for students and staff, and at 5:03 p.m another advisory was issued stating:

Law enforcement has confirmed that there is no active threat to the campus community. Emergency responders remain on the scene to provide assistance. Please continue to avoid Wilgus Hall. We will be communicating with residents of Wilgus Hall via campus email. More information will be sent via your university email.

Wilgus Hall accommodates 230 residents, according to UW-Platteville’s website. It is one of 10 residence halls, and more than 2,800 students live on campus.

It is still not clear what prompted the alerts but we will update this story as more information becomes available.