2 students found dead in dorm on Wisconsin college campus
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) – Two students at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville were found dead in a dorm Monday evening, officials said.
The UW-Platteville Chancellor’s Office identified the students as Kelsie Martin, 22, and Hallie Helms, 22.
Officers responded to a 911 call that came in around 4 p.m. about a “situation” in Wilgus Hall, a residence hall on campus.
Officials haven’t said what exactly happened, just that they have determined it was an “isolated incident.”
UW-Platteville Police Chief Joe Hallman said officers quickly determined that there was not an active, ongoing threat.
However, students were asked to shelter in place for about an hour.
Red tape was observed around the student housing building before 6 p.m. Monday and several law enforcement vehicles were surrounding the residence hall. A bouquet of flowers was also seen placed outside the sign for Wilgus Hall late Monday night.
Sophomore Eric Sperduto lives on the second floor of Wilgus Hall and said he saw two girls running out of the building after 4 p.m., and then he saw law enforcement inside.
“It’s just really sad and just sad to think about the families that are affected by this and people that were their friends and stuff that I guess that are students just like me that are changed now,” Sperduto said.
Students said they were shocked and confused, as they knew very little about what happened and are waiting for answers. Groups of students gathered outside Wilgus Hall Monday to each other.
“I was kind of terrified for a second honestly,” said Kirra Kamp, a sophomore. “It’s kind of something you hear happens, but nothing that you actually think is gonna happen to you in your school until it happens. It’s insane to see stuff like this happen.”
Students who live in Wilgus Hall were told they would not be able to return to the building Monday night, and residents were able to grab some items before they had to leave. There was another dorm available for students who needed a place to stay.
UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich said at a press conference that the university’s priority right now is the safety and wellbeing of students.
“We are focused on you,” Evetovich said. “We understand that you have a lot of questions. And we will answer what we can, but we want to focus on our students that are impacted and them in ways that only people on campus can do.”
According to the UW-Platteville calendar, students started final exams on Monday. Commencement was on Saturday. Final exams and scheduled assessments are now canceled through the end of the week.
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