The University of Wisconsin Platteville has confirmed two students died during an emergency incident at Wilgus Hall yesterday afternoon.
The students have been identified as 22 year old Kelsie Martin of Beloit and 22 year old Hallie Helms of Baraboo.
School officials say the incident was a targeted and isolated event between the two. Law enforcement and campus officials are not releasing any other details about the incident which caused a shelter in place order to be given for just over an hour.
During a press briefing last night, U-W Platteville Police Chief Joe Hallman said a 9-1-1 call came in around 4 o’clock indicating a “situation” in Wilgus Hall. Hallman said when authorities arrived it was determined fairly quickly that it was not an active, ongoing threat. Shortly after 5 o’clock the school lifted the shelter in place order. Platteville City Police, the Grant County Sheriff Department, and emergency management officials assisted.
University Counseling will be offering triage counseling today through Friday for students and a toll-free emotional support phone line is available staffed by mental health professionals.
According to the UW-Platteville calendar, students started final exams on Monday. Commencement was this past Saturday. Final exams and scheduled assessments are now canceled through the end of the week.
(Emotional Support Phone numbers 844.602.6680 or 720.272.0004) The line will be available overnight from Monday into Tuesday, with hours of operation adjusted as needed based on demand.