Tragedy Strikes UW-Platteville: Beloved Seniors Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms Killed in Targeted Campus Shooting at Wilgus Hall
PLATTEVILLE, WI — May 20, 2025
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville community is reeling after a targeted shooting late Sunday night claimed the lives of two 22-year-old students in what authorities are calling an “isolated and deliberate act of violence.”
In a heartbreaking message sent to students, faculty, and staff just before dawn Monday morning, Chancellor Tammy Evetovich confirmed the identities of the victims as Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both seniors at the university. The shooting occurred at Wilgus Hall, a co-ed residence hall on campus, around 11:47 p.m. on Sunday.
According to initial reports from the UW-Platteville Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots on the second floor of Wilgus Hall. Upon arrival, they discovered two female students suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate efforts from first responders and emergency medical teams, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Community in Shock
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit university community, located in the rural heart of southwestern Wisconsin. Classes were canceled Monday, and grief counseling services have been expanded across campus.
Chancellor Evetovich called the incident “the darkest day in recent university memory,” offering condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“Kelsie and Hallie were more than just students. They were beloved members of our community — bright, compassionate, and full of promise,” she said in the statement.
Vigils are already being planned by student groups and faculty organizations, and a memorial service is expected to be held later this week.
A Targeted Act
During a Monday afternoon press conference, Platteville Police Chief Doug McKinley stated that investigators believe the shooting was “not random,” and that the victims were “specifically targeted.” Authorities have not yet publicly identified a suspect but confirmed that they are following “multiple strong leads.”
“We do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the broader campus community,” McKinley said, adding that the investigation is being conducted in cooperation with state and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the FBI.
While officials remain tight-lipped about the motive, sources close to the investigation say authorities are exploring whether the incident stemmed from a personal dispute or a prior relationship between the shooter and one or both of the victims.
Remembering Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms
Kelsie Martin, a senior majoring in environmental science, was known for her passion for sustainability and campus advocacy. She served as a resident assistant in Wilgus Hall and was described by friends as a “natural leader” with a “kind, fearless spirit.”
Hallie Helms, also a senior, studied psychology and was active in mental health awareness efforts on campus. She had aspirations to pursue graduate school and eventually work in counseling.
“They were both exceptional women,” said Dr. Leanne Foster, one of Hallie’s professors. “Their loss is unimaginable. It’s not just the tragedy of their deaths — it’s the loss of everything they were meant to become.”
Campus Security and Questions Ahead
The tragedy has renewed conversations about campus security, with some students and parents questioning how a weapon made its way into a residence hall.
UW-Platteville officials say the university will conduct a full review of campus security policies, including building access procedures and emergency response protocols. There is no indication at this time whether the suspected shooter was a student, visitor, or former affiliate of the university.
In response to the shooting, Governor Tony Evers issued a statement expressing sorrow and calling for unity in the face of violence:
“Our hearts are broken for the UW-Platteville community, and for the families of Kelsie and Hallie. We must do more to ensure our schools and campuses are safe havens of learning, not scenes of horror.”
A Call for Support
As the investigation continues, friends of the victims have launched online fundraisers to support funeral costs and family travel. Counselors and chaplains remain available 24/7 on campus, and the university is encouraging students to utilize mental health resources in the wake of the trauma.
A temporary memorial with photos, candles, and handwritten notes has formed outside Wilgus Hall, where dozens gathered Monday evening for a moment of silence.
As the UW-Platteville community grapples with the loss, the names Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms will not be forgotten. Their lives, though cut tragically short, left an enduring impact on those who knew them.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the wake of this tragedy, please reach out to UW-Platteville’s counseling center or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
PLATTEVILLE, WI — May 20, 2025
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville community is reeling after a targeted shooting late Sunday night claimed the lives of two 22-year-old students in what authorities are calling an “isolated and deliberate act of violence.”
In a heartbreaking message sent to students, faculty, and staff just before dawn Monday morning, Chancellor Tammy Evetovich confirmed the identities of the victims as Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms, both seniors at the university. The shooting occurred at Wilgus Hall, a co-ed residence hall on campus, around 11:47 p.m. on Sunday.
According to initial reports from the UW-Platteville Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots on the second floor of Wilgus Hall. Upon arrival, they discovered two female students suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate efforts from first responders and emergency medical teams, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Community in Shock
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit university community, located in the rural heart of southwestern Wisconsin. Classes were canceled Monday, and grief counseling services have been expanded across campus.
Chancellor Evetovich called the incident “the darkest day in recent university memory,” offering condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“Kelsie and Hallie were more than just students. They were beloved members of our community — bright, compassionate, and full of promise,” she said in the statement.
Vigils are already being planned by student groups and faculty organizations, and a memorial service is expected to be held later this week.
A Targeted Act
During a Monday afternoon press conference, Platteville Police Chief Doug McKinley stated that investigators believe the shooting was “not random,” and that the victims were “specifically targeted.” Authorities have not yet publicly identified a suspect but confirmed that they are following “multiple strong leads.”
“We do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the broader campus community,” McKinley said, adding that the investigation is being conducted in cooperation with state and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the FBI.
While officials remain tight-lipped about the motive, sources close to the investigation say authorities are exploring whether the incident stemmed from a personal dispute or a prior relationship between the shooter and one or both of the victims.
Remembering Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms
Kelsie Martin, a senior majoring in environmental science, was known for her passion for sustainability and campus advocacy. She served as a resident assistant in Wilgus Hall and was described by friends as a “natural leader” with a “kind, fearless spirit.”
Hallie Helms, also a senior, studied psychology and was active in mental health awareness efforts on campus. She had aspirations to pursue graduate school and eventually work in counseling.
“They were both exceptional women,” said Dr. Leanne Foster, one of Hallie’s professors. “Their loss is unimaginable. It’s not just the tragedy of their deaths — it’s the loss of everything they were meant to become.”
Campus Security and Questions Ahead
The tragedy has renewed conversations about campus security, with some students and parents questioning how a weapon made its way into a residence hall.
UW-Platteville officials say the university will conduct a full review of campus security policies, including building access procedures and emergency response protocols. There is no indication at this time whether the suspected shooter was a student, visitor, or former affiliate of the university.
In response to the shooting, Governor Tony Evers issued a statement expressing sorrow and calling for unity in the face of violence:
“Our hearts are broken for the UW-Platteville community, and for the families of Kelsie and Hallie. We must do more to ensure our schools and campuses are safe havens of learning, not scenes of horror.”
A Call for Support
As the investigation continues, friends of the victims have launched online fundraisers to support funeral costs and family travel. Counselors and chaplains remain available 24/7 on campus, and the university is encouraging students to utilize mental health resources in the wake of the trauma.
A temporary memorial with photos, candles, and handwritten notes has formed outside Wilgus Hall, where dozens gathered Monday evening for a moment of silence.
As the UW-Platteville community grapples with the loss, the names Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms will not be forgotten. Their lives, though cut tragically short, left an enduring impact on those who knew them.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the wake of this tragedy, please reach out to UW-Platteville’s counseling center or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.