Investigation Underway into Alleged Murder-Suicide at Rice University

The Rice University Police Department (RUPD) is currently investigating an alleged murder-suicide that occurred on campus at Jones College, The Rice Thresher reports, citing a Rice Alert sent to the community at 5:39 p.m. on August 26.

The victim has been identified as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a female Rice student, who was found shot inside Jones College. University President Reginald DesRoches confirmed the details during a press conference, stating that RUPD officials arrived on the scene around 4:30 p.m. following a request for a welfare check by one of Avila’s family members.

According to the RUPD, the male suspect, who was not affiliated with Rice, was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators stated that there were no signs of forced entry into the residential hall, which is only accessible to Rice students via ID swipes. RUPD Chief Clemente Rodriguez noted that Avila likely granted the suspect access to the building.

Rodriguez revealed that the suspect and Avila had a prior romantic relationship, and a note was discovered that indicated the two had a “troubled relationship.” He did not provide further details regarding the note’s contents.

“This is a speech that no president ever wants to make,” President DesRoches said during his press briefing. “I want all of our students, our parents, and the entire Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe. There is no immediate threat, and tonight, we will wrap our arms around our students. As a parent of a past Rice student, I can only imagine how devastating this must be.”

In the wake of the incident, students and faculty received a shelter-in-place notice, which was lifted at 6:49 p.m. All classes and activities for the remainder of the day were canceled, as communicated in a Rice Alert at 6:04 p.m.

The Houston Police Department, along with a Houston Fire Department ambulance and a forensic science crime scene van, responded to the scene, gathering evidence and conducting further investigations.