Rice University cancels classes after student shot and killed in dorm, school spokesperson says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Classes at Rice University were canceled Tuesday after a student was shot in her dorm room by a man who police said killed himself.

Rice University President Reginald DesRoches identified the victim as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a junior from Maryland. She and a man who was not a student were found around 4:30 p.m. in her dorm room at Jones College.

“This is a speech no president wants to make,” DesRoches told reporters. “We are in contact with Andrea’s parents and we will have them out tomorrow morning.”

According to Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez, Avila missed class Monday and a family member was unable to reach her. The parent requested a welfare check at her dorm room.

Rodriguez said a note, believed to have been written by the shooter, was also found and that the two men had a romantic relationship.

“Overall, it was a lot about their relationship and the fact that they obviously had a difficult relationship at that point,” Rodriguez said.

The discovery prompted a shelter-in-place order and the university canceled classes until Tuesday.

Police believe the shooter entered the dorm as a guest of Avila. Jones College is one of 11 residential colleges on campus. The shooter’s name has not been released.

Counseling resources are available for anyone who needs them. Police said they had not received any previous calls regarding the couple.

“We’re going to embrace our students,” DesRoches said.

Rice University issued a statement Monday evening:

“Dear Rice Community,

We are heartbroken to share that earlier today, Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a Jones College student, was found deceased in her dorm room on campus during a wellness check conducted by RUPD. Investigators at the scene believe Andrea was the victim of a homicide. A second individual, who was not a member of the Rice community, was also found deceased in the room. Investigators believe the second individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that he may have known Andrea to. There were no signs of forced entry into her room. Please be assured that RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.

As you come together to support one another, please respect the Jones community by giving them the space they need to grieve. We anticipate that additional memorialization information and resources will be shared in the coming days.

We are grieving the loss of a wonderful person taken from us too soon. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to your faculty advisors, research assistants, coordinator, or any of the staff members in the Rice Counseling Center and Wellbeing Office, who are here to support you during this terrible time. Students in need of assistance can contact Wellbeing at 713-348-3311, this number is available 24/7. Faculty and staff in need of assistance can use the Employee Assistance Program 24/7 at 888-881-5462.

Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Zachary Ball, Jones College professor

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