Two University of Wisconsin-Platteville students died Monday in what authorities described as a “targeted and isolated” incident inside a campus residence hall.
The victims, Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both 22, were found in Wilgus Hall, where they had lived. The university confirmed their deaths in an email to students late Monday night and confirmed their deaths were the result of a shooting.
Helms, who lived at the dorm, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to investigators.
Officials have not yet released further details about the circumstances, but reiterated that the incident remains isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the campus community.
Martin, of Beloit, served as a resident advisor at Wilgus Hall for three years and majored in psychology. Helms, from Baraboo, was an elementary education major. Both women graduated during UW-Platteville’s commencement ceremony on Saturday.
The campus issued a shelter-in-place order Monday afternoon after police reported an emergency situation in the residence hall. The order was lifted around 5 p.m. University officials are working with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Grant County authorities and city police to investigate the incident.
In response, the university canceled final exams for the remainder of the week on both the Platteville and Baraboo campuses.
Editor's note: This article was updated at 12:30 p.m. on May 21, 2025 to include updated details from authorities.
Alaina Walsh is the associate news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has covered breaking news on city crimes and a variety of state and campus stories, including the 2024 presidential election and the UW-Madison budget.
