A college student in Houston, Texas, was found dead in her dorm room along with a gunman in an apparent murder-suicide.
The body of student Andrea Rodriguez Avila was discovered by Rice University police at 4:30 p.m. CT on Monday.
This happened after a family member called for a welfare check and officers saw that she missed school that day.
Rice University in Texas was closed for nearly two hours as students attended their first day of classes following the tragic discovery.
The shooter is an unidentified 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 residential college of Rice University
A police crime scene unit vehicle sits parked after the apparent murder-suicide on Monday.
Police officers are seen responding to an incident at the university. Rice University was closed for two hours
Rice University police said the two were in a relationship and that the shooter, who is possibly from Florida, was not a registered visitor and most likely gained access to the dorm by walking in with Ms. Avila.
There were no signs of forced entry into Ms. Avila’s room.
According to Fox26, a note written by the shooter was also found, in which he claimed the couple had a troubled relationship.
Based on the note, investigators believe the man shot Avila before turning the gun on himself.
Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said: “Generally speaking, it was a lot about their relationship and they were obviously having a troubled relationship at the time.”
Announcing the tragic incident, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said: “This is a speech 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 threat, and tonight we will embrace our students.’
The university campus was placed under quarantine at around 5:40 p.m. and lifted at 7:18 p.m., CNN reported.
The Rice University Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department.
A police vehicle is parked outside the university entrance. There are no signs of forced entry into the hall.
Andrea Rodriguez Avila was discovered by Rice University police at 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Monday. (Pictured here is a general view of Rice University in Houston, Texas.)
A Rice University police vehicle is parked after the apparent murder-suicide at Jones College
Ms. Ávila lived at Jones College, one of 11 residential colleges that house Rice undergraduates.
Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez would not say what part of Maryland Ms. Avila is from, but her family will fly to Texas today.
Rice University said in a statement Monday night: ‘We are heartbroken to inform you that earlier today Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a Jones College student, was found deceased in her dorm room on campus during a welfare check by RUPD.
According to investigators on scene, Andrea is believed to be the victim of a homicide. A second person who was not a member of the Rice community was also found dead in the room.
Investigators believe the second man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and may have known Andrea. There were no signs that anyone had broken into her room.
‘Rest assured that RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.
‘As we come together to support one another, please respect the Jones community and give them the space to grieve. We hope that more information about remembrance and resources will be shared in the coming days.’
