A Rice University student was found fatally shot in her dorm room in a suspected murder-suicide, prompting a campus lockdown and the cancellation of classes.
Texas, Bollywood Fever: Tragedy struck Texas’ Rice University on the first day of the fall semester as a student was found fatally shot in her dorm room on Monday in what police are now investigating as a murder-suicide.
University police received a call from a relative of junior student Andrea Rodriguez Avila, expressing concern after being unable to reach her, Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said during a press conference.
After learning that Avila had missed her classes that day, police entered her Jones College dorm room around 4:30 p.m. and discovered the Maryland native deceased.
Alongside Avila, police found an unidentified male, not believed to be affiliated with the university, who had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators suspect that the two were involved in a “troubled” dating relationship, as suggested by a note left by the male at the scene.
The contents of the note lead authorities to believe that the male shot Avila before taking his own life.
The discovery prompted a nearly two-hour lockdown on the Rice University campus, during which all classes and activities were canceled for the remainder of the day.
Despite police assurances that it was an isolated incident, classes were again canceled 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 wrap our arms around our students,” Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said during the Monday press conference.
Police are still investigating the nature of the relationship between the deceased individuals and are trying to determine if the male was from Florida. It is believed that he entered Avila’s dorm hall with her, as there were no signs of forced entry.
DesRoches announced that the university was flying Avila’s parents to the campus on Tuesday morning and urged the community to come together during this difficult time. “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,” DesRoches expressed in a Monday press release. “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.”
Also Read Other Articles, Cameroonian Activist Found in Military Custody with Signs of Torture, Says Human Rights Watch
Dangerous TikTok Trend “Ridgy Popping” Puts Sydney Teens at Risk on Train Lines
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Begins Steep Ascent to Unlock Mars’ Ancient Secrets