It has been confirmed by authorities that a deadly incident with two students from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville is being handled as a murder-suicide.
In a student residence hall called Wilgus Hall on campus, Hallie Helms and Kelsie Martin were found wounded from gunshots. Event organizers estimate the shooting happened around 4 p.m. on Monday, May 19.
An elementary education student, Helms, was declared dead at the place where the accident happened. Assistant resident director Martin, who was studying psychology, was initially treated at Southwest Health and afterward airlifted to UW Hospital, where she died.
It appears from the preliminary autopsy report that Martin was shot and Helms took her own life, according to People. The university said it is likely the case involved murder-suicide and that no additional individuals are involved.
The commencement program listed that students had graduated on Saturday, May 17, as recently as two days prior.
After the incident, final exams at UW-Platteville were all canceled and both students and faculty were provided access to mental health resources. The university wrote on Facebook: “We are grateful to all those who messaged us and offered to help us in so many ways.”
⚠️ WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of violence/gore/abuse
Two female college students, Kelsie Martin, 22, & Hallie Helms, 22, were found dead with gunshot wounds in their dorm room at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Monday, May 19. Authorities are… pic.twitter.com/hwXAqY1VKr
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They went on to say: “We are amazed at how kind you have been. We have a very close community and this show of kindness reminds us of our identity. We do not consider it to be something obvious. #PioneerStrong.”
On social media, Wisconsin Governor Evers wrote that he was aware of the incident at UW-Platteville and would keep in touch with officials from the university. Please join us in thinking about UW-Platteville students, faculty, staff and the larger Platteville community at this time.
Officials continue to investigate the incident to learn all details about what happened and when.