Rice University in Houston was rocked by an apparent murder-suicide on the first day of classes for the fall semester.
During a welfare check by campus police, a female student was found dead inside her dorm room, and a man who was not a student at the university was also found dead in the same room with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fox News Digital confirmed.
In a letter to the Rice University community, the university’s dean, Bridget Gorman, identified the student as Andrea Rodriguez Avila.
Gorman said the man found dead with her “may have known Andrea.”
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Ambulances arrive at the scene at Rice University in Houston. (FOX 26 Houston)
“There was no evidence of forced entry into her room,” Gorman continued. “RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and please be assured that the campus is safe.”
Gorman said the community was mourning “the loss of a wonderful person taken from us too soon.”
As the case developed, the school shared a series of updates on its X account.
“RUPD is investigating a possible homicide that occurred at Jones University. Students are asked to remain in their rooms until further notice. Faculty and staff are asked to stay home until further notice,” the university said in a statement around 6:30 p.m. local time.
The lockdown was lifted about 45 minutes later, and the school said all classes and activities had been canceled for the day.
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Rice University has 11 independent residential colleges, which the school’s website describes as “vibrant communities where students live, eat, and interact with their peers, faculty, staff, and alumni.”
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Rice University is a small institution with approximately 8,500 students. Tuition is approximately $60,000 per year.
