The Rice University student murdered in the dorm was a political scientist from Baltimore County

BALTIMORE – Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a native of Baltimore County, was found murdered in her dorm room at Rice University on Monday, was active in several university organizations and studied political science with a focus on law.

The junior transferred from the Community College of Baltimore County to Rice in Houston, Texas, last spring. She was from Nottingham, Maryland, and graduated from Perry Hall High School in 2021.

Avila was found shot to death in her dorm at Jones College around 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Monday, along with a gunman who is believed to have killed her and then taken his own life, police said.

Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said Avila's family told police they had not heard from her, and officers conducted a welfare check at her dorm room. Avila also failed to show up for classes on the first day of the semester, according to police.

Police said Avila appeared to have let the shooter in and the two knew each other. The shooter, who was not a student at Rice University, left a note describing his past relationship with Avila, police said.

“In general, there was a lot of talk about their relationship and obviously their relationship was problematic at the time,” Police Chief Rodriguez said.

The discovery led to a nearly two-hour lockdown of the entire campus, and the rest of classes were canceled on Monday while police investigated.

At Rice, Avila served as an alternate parliamentarian for the Rice Student Association, an academic advisor in the Jones College residence hall, and a member of the university's honors council.

Prior to transferring, Rodriguez Avila was also active in organizations at CCBC, including the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

In response to the death of their former student, the school issued a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a beloved member of the CCBC Class of 2023. Andrea was a passionate leader, an exceptional scholar, and a mentor to many. Her infectious smile and unwavering determination inspired all who knew her. The CCBC community extends its deepest condolences to Andrea's family during this difficult time.”

Police have not yet identified the 22-year-old shooter.

Rodriguez Avila's parents were flown from the university to Houston on Tuesday.