Houston , An investigation is now underway after a Rice University student was found dead in her dormitory.
Officers responded to a welfare check Monday around 4 p.m.
Rice University death: Officials provide update on incident
Rice University officials are providing an update following a fatal incident on campus on the first day of the 2024 fall semester.
Jones College junior Andrea Rodriguez Avila, who is from Maryland, was found dead in her room on campus, school officials said. A man, who was not a student, was also found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators at the scene determined Andrea was the victim of a homicide, school officials said in a message to the Rice community.
Officers said the welfare check was conducted after a family member had not had any contact with Avila and wanted officers to go check on him.
School officials said they checked her classes to see if she attended class, and it was discovered that she did not attend class, or she had skipped class today.
Officers later entered and found her there.
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Rice University police said based on evidence the two were in a dating relationship.
The attacker, who is possibly from Florida, was not a registered visitor and may have entered the dorm with Avila, authorities said.
Authorities said a note was also found that was written by the shooter. Authorities said the overall gist of the note was that there were some problems in their dating relationship.
Officials said anyone in a troubled relationship can visit the SAFE office on campus.
The identity of the shooter has not yet been released.
FOX 26 has learned that school officials have confirmed that classes for Tuesday, August 27th have been canceled.
Investigation into the firing incident is ongoing.