Rice University in Houston was rocked by an apparent murder-suicide on the first day of classes for the fall semester.
A female student was found dead in her dorm room during a welfare check by university police. A man, who was not a student at the university, was also found dead in the room with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fox News Digital confirmed.
In a letter to the Rice community, the school's dean of undergraduate students, Bridget Gorman, identified the student as Andrea Rodriguez Avila.
Gorman said the man found dead with her “may have known Andrea.”
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An ambulance at the scene at Rice University in Houston. (FOX 26 Houston)
“There was no sign of forced entry into his room,” Gorman continued. “Please be assured that RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.”
Gorman said the community was mourning “the loss of a wonderful person who was taken from us too soon.”
The school shared quick updates on its X account as the incident unfolded.
“RUPD is investigating a possible homicide at Jones College. All students are to remain in their rooms until further notice. Faculty and staff are to shelter in place until further notice,” the school wrote at around 6:30 p.m. local time.
The lockdown was lifted about 45 minutes later. The school said all classes and activities for the day were canceled.
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Rice University has 11 independent residential colleges. The school's website describes the system as “lively communities where students live, eat, and interact with their peers, faculty, staff, and alumni.”
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Rice is a small school with about 8,500 students. Tuition costs about $60,000 a year.
