A Campus in Mourning: UW-Platteville Grapples With Dual Student Tragedy

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What began as an ordinary Monday at UW-Platteville ended in unimaginable loss when gunfire echoed through Wilgus Hall. The victims—Kelsie Martin, a devoted psychology student and dorm leader, and Hallie Helms, a recent education graduate—were both just 22, their promising futures cut short.

Police confirmed the shooting was contained, with no additional suspects. While Martin was fatally shot, evidence suggests Helms died by suicide. The university swiftly canceled finals, recognizing the campus needed time to heal. Counselors remained available overnight as students gathered for vigils, struggling to process how such violence could touch their community.

Martin’s family describes her as “a ray of sunshine” who tutored peers and led the Psychology Club. Helms’ loved ones recall her artistic spirit and passion for teaching. As both families plan memorials, troubling details emerge—reports indicate Helms was in distress before the incident, and Martin, as resident advisor, had gone to help.

The tragedy has sparked conversations about mental health resources, with parents questioning if more could have been done to prevent such a heartbreaking outcome.

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