CNN —
A Rice University student in Houston was found dead in his dorm room on Monday from an apparent suicide, prompting a lockdown of the campus for nearly two hours as students finished their first day of classes, police and university officials said.
Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said university police found the body of junior Andrea Rodriguez-Avila after a concerned family member called in to check on her welfare and discovered she had missed classes Monday.
Police said the unidentified man believed to be the Avila shooter, who does not appear to have any ties to the university, was found dead inside his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators believe he shot Avila and then killed himself, based on a suspect note found at the scene, the police chief said, which also noted the two had a troubled romantic relationship.
“This is the speech no university president ever wants to give,” Rice University President Reginald Desroches said in announcing Avila’s death. “Tonight, I want all students, parents and the entire Rice community to know that our campus is safe and there is no imminent threat. Our students are in our thoughts and hearts tonight,” he added.
Rodriguez said the shooter likely entered the Jones College dorm with Avila, although a university spokesman said earlier in the day that there were no signs of forced entry.
The entire campus was placed on lockdown from about 5:40 p.m. following the discovery of the body, and all classes and activities were canceled for the remainder of Monday, according to the university.
University Announced The lockdown was lifted at 7:18 p.m.
Houston police said in a statement that Rice University Police are leading the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department.
Jones College, where Avila lived, is one of eleven residential colleges that house Rice University undergraduates. Each year, freshmen are randomly assigned to a residential college where they will remain for the remainder of their undergraduate years.
Avila’s parents have been in contact with the university and plan to fly to Houston on Tuesday, Desroches said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
