A Maryland woman was found shot to death in her dorm room at Rice University in Houston, Texas, on Monday. She was found 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 Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a third-year student at Rice University, was found dead in the dorm around 4:30 p.m. Central Time during a welfare check after her family said they had not heard from her.
Police said Avila also failed to attend one of her classes on the first day of the semester.
Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez did not say which part of Maryland Avila was from, but said her family was flying to Texas on Tuesday.
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.
Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said in a press conference that the campus was safe and there was no immediate threat.
“I want all of our students, parents and the entire Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe and there is no immediate threat. Tonight we will embrace our students,” DesRoches said.
