Murder and suicide in Rice University dormitory shocks campus on first day back in class

A top Texas university marked the start of the new academic year not with the hustle and bustle of students heading to and from classes, but with tragic reports of a shooting in a dormitory.

Rice University issued a brief curfew Monday afternoon while campus police went to the Jones College dorm room of student Andrea Rodriguez Avila, whose family had asked for a welfare check after she lost contact with them and failed to attend classes.

Avila was found dead at the scene, suffering from a gunshot wound, with the body of a man lying next to him who apparently died from a second self-inflicted gunshot wound. His name was not released, but he appears to have no connection to the university and may be from Florida.

Police are now investigating the incident as a suspected murder-suicide after finding a note written by the man describing a “troubled relationship” between the two, who were allegedly in a relationship.

The deaths occurred on the first day of classes, and although the curfew was soon lifted, classes were canceled for the rest of the evening. “It is with profound sadness and shock that I write to you on a day that should have been full of promise and new beginnings,” University President Reginald DesRoches said in a statement released to the Houston Chronicle.

He described the shooting as “a heartbreaking, devastating incident,” adding that it was “important to recognize that this loss will impact our close-knit community in the days and weeks to come.” The university has contacted Avila's parents, who are scheduled to fly out from their home in Maryland soon.

There were reportedly no signs of forced entry into Avila's room. It's possible that Avila had let the man into Jones College sometime earlier in the day, as the dorms require a university ID to enter.