PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
PLATTEVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The two female students involved in an emergency incident Monday at a residence hall on the UW-Platteville campus died in an apparent murder-suicide shooting, authorities announced Tuesday.
According to a release from university officials, the UW-Platteville Police Department responded to a 911 call around 4 p.m. for a reported disturbance at Wilgus Hall. When officers arrived on scene, they “found two individuals injured, suffering from gunshot wounds.”
22-year-old Kelsie Martin of Beloit was transported to a hospital and then airlifted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Martin was a psychology major who served as the assistant resident director at Wilgus Hall.
Preliminary autopsy findings indicate Martin was killed by a gunshot wound.
The other individual, identified as 22-year-old Hallie Helms of Baraboo, was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major. Officials say she died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No one else was involved, with police saying the situation was “targeted and isolated.” An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Martin and Helms is ongoing.
Final exams at UW-Platteville were canceled in the wake of the deadly shooting.
University Counseling is offering triage counseling through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844-602-6680 or 720-272-0004, staffed by mental health professionals. The line will be available overnight from Monday into Tuesday, with hours of operation adjusted as needed based on demand.
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