Junior Rice University student is found dead in her dorm in apparent murder-suicide alongside non-student boyfriend who had self-inflicted gunshot sounds on first day of fall semester
A college student in Houston, Texas, was found dead in her dorm room along with a gunman in what appears to be a suicide.
The body of sophomore Andrea Rodriguez Avila was discovered by Rice University police at 4:30 p.m. CT Monday.
This happened after a family member requested a welfare check and officers noticed she had missed classes that day.
Rice University in Texas was placed on lockdown for nearly two hours as students attended their first day of classes following the tragic discovery.
The shooter is an unknown man who was not a student and was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police officers respond to an apparent murder-suicide at Jones College, a boarding school of Rice University
A police unit vehicle is parked after the suspected murder-suicide on Monday
Police officers respond to an incident at the university. Rice University was placed on lockdown for two hours
Rice University police said the two were in a relationship and the shooter, who may be from Florida, was not a registered visitor and most likely gained access to the dormitory when he entered with Ms. Avila.
There were no signs of forced entry in Mrs. Avila’s room.
According to Fox26, a note from the shooter was also found, in which he claimed the couple had a troubled relationship.
Based on the letter, detectives suspect the man shot Avila before shooting himself.
Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said, “Overall, it was all about their relationship and it was clear they were in a difficult relationship at the time.”
When he announced the tragic incident, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said, “This is a speech that no president ever wants to give.
“Tonight I want all of our students, our parents and the entire Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe and there is no immediate danger. Tonight we will embrace our students.”
The university went into lockdown across all campuses around 5:40 p.m. and was lifted again at 7:18 p.m., CNN reported.
Rice University police are leading the investigation, with assistance from Houston police.
A police car is parked outside the university entrance. There were no signs of forced entry into the room.
Andrea Rodriguez Avila was discovered by Rice University police at 4:30 p.m. CT Monday. (Pictured is a general view of Rice University in Houston, Texas)
A Rice University police vehicle is parked after the alleged murder-suicide at Jones College
Ms. Avila attended Jones College, one of eleven residential colleges where Rice students live.
Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez would not say where in Maryland Ms. Avila is from, but her family is flying to Texas today.
Rice University said in a statement Monday evening: “We are devastated to report that Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a Jones College student, was found dead in her dorm room on campus today during a wellness check by RUPD.
‘According to investigators on the scene, it is believed Andrea was the victim of murder. A second person, who was not a member of the Rice community, was also found dead in the room.
‘Detectives believe the second person died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and may have known Andrea. There were no signs of forced entry into her room.
“Please be assured that the RUPD is working in partnership with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.
“As you gather to support one another, please respect the Jones community by allowing them the space to grieve. We expect more information about remembrance and resources to be shared in the coming days.”