An investigation is underway in Houston after a third-year student at Rice University was found dead in her dorm room on Monday afternoon.
Authorities entered Andrew Rodriguez Avila’s dorm room after a family member contacted the school to say they hadn’t heard from her and asked for a welfare check. Avila was from Maryland, KTRK reported.
“This is a speech no president wants to give,” university president Reginald DesRoches told reporters. “We are in contact with Andrea’s parents and will fly them in tomorrow morning.”
According to officials, Avila missed at least one class on Monday.
Officers also found a man in the room who was not a student. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was dead. Campus police said the two had been in a relationship.
The shooter also left a note complaining about their troubled relationship. His identity was not released, but officials said he was also not a registered visitor and likely gained access to the dorm by going in with Avila.
The university canceled classes on Tuesday and DesRoches said counseling was available to students.
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(Featured image: Rice University/Google Maps)
