HOUSTON, TX – A deadly shooting occurred on Monday afternoon on a college campus in Houston, resulting in the untimely deaths of a university student and her presumed boyfriend. The victims were discovered in the student’s dorm room by campus police.
Rice University confirmed that the female student was Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a junior from Maryland. Following concerns raised by her family due to a lack of communication, campus police were asked to check on her well-being. Upon learning that Avila had missed at least one class on Monday, officers decided to conduct a welfare check in her dorm at the Jones College residence hall, resulting in the grim revelation.
According to Clemente Rodriguez, the Campus Police Chief, Avila was found deceased in her room along with the body of a man believed to be her boyfriend. A note suspected to have been written by the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was also discovered, suggesting turbulent momentum in their relationship.
Detectives speculate that the male died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation leads them to believe that the suspect gained entry into the residence hall in Avila’s company, as there was no sign of forced entry.
In a community message to students, parents, faculty, and staff, campus authorities confirmed that counseling is available 24 hours a day. Rice University’s President, Reginald DesRoches, assured the university community of the campus’ safety while expressing empathy and solidarity at the tragic incident.