In a tragic incident that unfolded on the first day of classes at Rice University, a student named Andrea Rodriguez Avila, aged 21, was fatally shot, allegedly by her boyfriend, who then took his own life. The campus community is reeling from this devastating news.
University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez shared that a note was found, detailing the troubled relationship between Avila and the shooter, a 22-year-old man whose identity remains undisclosed but is believed to have ties to Florida.
Classes at Rice University resumed on Wednesday, just a day after the university canceled them in the wake of the incident. Avila was discovered in her dorm room at Jones College during a wellness check requested by a family member concerned for her well-being.
Originally from Nottingham, Maryland, Avila had recently transferred to Rice from the Community College of Baltimore County. At her previous institution, she was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the student programming board and the Multicultural Student Association.
Remembering Andrea Rodriguez Avila
At Rice, she was pursuing a degree in political science and pre-law, serving as a deputy parliamentarian with the Rice Student Association and as an academic advisor. She also played a significant role as events chair of the Transfer Student Association, where her impact was deeply felt.
Alex Cantin, the president of the Transfer Student Association, expressed sorrow over her loss, noting her passion and empathy for the student community. “Andrea became a beloved member of our community, and her excitement for TSA’s events was contagious,” he shared on Instagram.
Rice University’s president, Reginald DesRoches, described the event as “heartbreaking” and “devastating,” expressing his deep sadness for a day that should have been filled with promise turned into mourning instead.
The investigation is currently being led by the Houston Police Department, which is considering the case a murder-suicide. Authorities are urging anyone with information to reach out to their Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.