HOUSTON – A homicide is being investigated at Rice University Monday evening after a student and a man were both found dead, according to the university’s police department.
The student has been identified as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, who university leaders said was a junior at Rice from Maryland.
Police said the discovery was made during a welfare check around 4:30 p.m. at Jones College, which is a residential building on campus. Avila’s family called campus police after they had not heard from her, RUPD Chief Clemente Rodriguez said.
NOW: Rice University Police & Houston Police are investigating a homicide on the university’s campus on the first day of the fall semester. Police tell us the call for a shooting at Jones College, which is university housing, came in around 4:50 p.m. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/1U7sKe6BTi
— KPRC 2 Bryce Newberry (@KPRC2Bryce) August 26, 2024
Police verified Avila missed a class on Monday, which was the first day of the fall semester at Rice.
When they checked her dorm room, investigators said Avila was found dead suffering from a gunshot wound. A man, who is not a student, was also found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to police, the man left a note that detailed their relationship problems and helped lead to the conclusion that it was a murder-suicide.
Investigators said they believe the shooter is from Florida and was able to access Avila’s dorm room because she let him in as a visitor, which students are allowed to do. He has not been identified.
“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 wrap our arms around our students. As a parent of a past Rice student, I can only imagine how devastating this must be. We are communicating with Andrea’s parents and flying them out early tomorrow morning. We ask the community to keep us in your prayers as we comfort each other this evening,” University President Reginald DesRoches said during a news conference on campus.
It’s not clear how long the two may have been dead in the building but Chief Rodriguez said they believe it happened earlier Monday.
All classes and activities got canceled Monday following the discovery in Jones College and university leaders said classes are canceled for Tuesday.
Rice asked students and faculty to shelter in place for about an hour and 20 minutes on Monday evening during the investigation which involved the Houston Police Department.
The university also opened a call center for those needing support.
RICE ALERT: Rice has activated a call center to support the Rice community in a time of need. https://t.co/7bOGTO8ZKq pic.twitter.com/HhymeE2SkR
— Rice University (@RiceUniversity) August 27, 2024
Rice University sent the following statement to the campus community:
“We are heartbroken to tell you that earlier today Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a student at Jones College, was found deceased in her room on campus during a wellness check by RUPD.
According to investigators at the scene, Andrea is believed to be a victim of homicide. A second individual, who was not a member of the Rice community, was also found deceased in the room. Investigators believe the second individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and may have known Andrea.
There was no sign of forced entry into her room. Please be assured that RUPD is working with Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe. As you gather to support one another, please respect the Jones community by giving them the space to mourn. We anticipate additional information regarding remembrance and resources to be shared in the coming days.
We mourn the loss of a wonderful person taken from us too soon. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to your college magisters, RAs, coordinator, or any of our staff from the Rice Counseling Center and Wellbeing Office, who are here to support you at this terrible time. Students in need of support, please contact Wellbeing at 713-348-3311 — this number is available 24/7. Faculty and staff in need of support, please utilize the Employee Assistance Program 24/7 at 888-881-5462.”
Later in the evening, the university’s president sent this statement out to the community:
Dear Rice community, It is with deep sadness and shock that I write to you on what should have been a day filled with promise and new beginnings. Instead, we find ourselves mourning the loss of one of our own in a tragic event that has shaken our campus to its core. As Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman shared earlier, Rice University Police responded to a welfare check this afternoon and found junior Andrea Rodriguez Avila deceased in her Jones College room, along with an unidentified male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound who was not a member of the Rice community. This is a heartbreaking, devastating incident, and it is important to recognize that this loss will affect our close-knit community in the days and weeks ahead.
Tonight, I want our students, parents and Rice community to know that our campus is safe, that there is no further threat and that we are wrapping our arms around you with care and concern. As a parent of a past Rice student, I can only imagine how devastating this must be – to Andrea’s family and our community.
The pain we feel on campus tonight is immeasurable, and I know that words cannot fully capture the sorrow and grief that many of you may be experiencing. I urge you to lean on each other, to offer support and compassion, and to remember that we are all joined in our grief and care.
All classes will be canceled tomorrow, Aug. 27, but our campus will be very much open. We encourage you to come together as a community, spend time with each other to mourn and use the campus resources available for counseling.
Rice’s culture of care is particularly strong during times of tragedy, and there are a number of resources available to help you cope with the emotions that may arise in the wake of this horrific event. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to your college magisters, RAs, coordinator, or any of the staff from the Rice Counseling Center and Wellbeing Office. Students in need of support, please contact Wellbeing at 713-348-3311 — this number is available 24/7. Faculty and staff in need of support can meet in person with representatives from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Rice Memorial Center Chapel. Faculty and staff can also speak with EAP representatives 24/7 at 888-881-5462. We are here to support you, and no one should feel alone during this time.
In moments like these, our strength, care and resilience as a community are more important than ever. Please take care of yourselves and each other. Let us honor Andrea’s memory by coming together in unity and compassion.
With deepest sympathy,
President Reginald DesRoches
KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.
Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”
Help is also available immediately if you need it through the following numbers:
- Houston Area Women’s Center: (713) 528-2121
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799−7233
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
RICE ALERT: RUPD is investigating a potential homicide at Jones College. All students should stay in their rooms until further notice. Faculty and staff should shelter in place until further notice. https://t.co/7bOGTO8ZKq pic.twitter.com/cEulMddWCA
— Rice University (@RiceUniversity) August 26, 2024