A student at Rice University in Texas was found shot to death in her dorm room on Monday. Police are now investigating the murder and subsequent suicide.
It was the first day of the fall semester when university police received a call from a relative of Andrea Rodriguez Avila, who asked if authorities could conduct a welfare check on the third-year student since they were unable to reach her, Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said during a news conference.
After determining she had missed classes that day, police entered Avilas Jones’ college dorm room around 4:30 p.m. and found the Maryland native dead, according to Rodriguez. An unidentified man believed to be unaffiliated with the university was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
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Investigators believe the couple had a “troubled” relationship, Rodriguez said, after finding a note written by the man at the crime scene. The contents of the note are also why authorities believe the man shot Avila before shooting himself, the police chief said.
The discovery of the two dead people led to a nearly two-hour lockdown of the Rice University campus on Monday, before all classes and activities were canceled for the rest of the day. And although police said it was an isolated incident, classes were canceled again on Tuesday.
“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,” Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said during Monday’s press conference.
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Police are still trying to determine the extent to which the two dead people were related and whether the man was from Florida. They believe he likely entered Avila’s dorm with her, rather than forcibly entering.
DesRoches said the university flew Avila’s parents in Tuesday morning and asked the public to offer comfort to one another while the investigation continues.
“The pain we feel on campus tonight is immeasurable, and I know words cannot fully express the grief and sadness many of you may be feeling,” DesRoches said in a press release Monday. “I urge you to hold each other up, offer support and compassion, and remember that we are all united in our grief and sorrow.”
