Rice University student Andrea Rodriguez Avila was found shot dead in her dorm room in Houston on Monday, with her boyfriend, a suspect in the shooting, also found dead nearby from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The two were believed to have been in a troubled relationship, according to a note left by the suspect. Police discovered Avila’s body after she missed a class and her family requested a welfare check. The suspect, whose identity was not released but may be from Florida, gained access to the dorm with Avila’s help, as there was no sign of forced entry.
Rice University assured students and parents that the campus is safe and that counseling is available 24 hours a day. The university president expressed his condolences and stated that support would be provided for students affected by the tragedy. Jones College, where Avila lived, was originally established as a women’s residence but now is coeducational.
Resources are available for those in crisis or facing domestic violence, including the National Domestic Violence hotline at (800) 799-SAFE or www.thehotline.org. Additionally, individuals can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for more information and support.
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