HOUSTON — Classes were canceled Tuesday, the second day of the 2024 fall semester at Rice University, as the campus continued recovering in the wake of a murder-suicide that happened in a dorm room on the first day of the semester.
Police identified the student who was killed as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a 21-year-old junior from Maryland. They said the man who shot her, 22-year-old Habeneyom Belai, wasn't a student and was from Florida. They were both found dead in Avila's dorm room at Jones College.
Avila was shot to death and the 22-year-old believed to have killed her had taken his own life, according to investigators.
Rice University police said the two had been dating and the man left a note at the scene.
They said the note detailed his troubled relationship with Avila. Rice University Police Chief Clemete Rodriguez said it included a lot about his connection with Avila.
"In general terms, it was a lot about their relationship and obviously, they were having a troubled relationship at this time," Rodriguez said.
What happened
The discovery was made during a welfare check Monday around 4:30 p.m., according to Rice University President Reginald DesRoche.
They started checking on Avila when a family member called asking for a welfare check. University officials said Avila didn't go to class on Monday so they went to her dorm to check on her. That's when they found the bodies.
University officials said Avila likely allowed the shooter to enter the building and there was no sign of forced entry into the dorm room.
Who was Avila?
Avila was from Nottingham, Maryland. She was a junior majoring in political science.
She was a member of the university's Honor Council, was a peer advisor at Jones College and was a deputy parliamentarian of the Rice Student Association, university officials said.
Avila had transferred to Rice in the spring from the Community College of Baltimore County.
Domestic violence tips
Domestic violence experts said the tragedy serves as a painful reminder that violence can happen to people from all walks of life, but it can be prevented and there is help out there.
Experts with the Houston Area Women's Center urge people to look out for signs of what could be abuse in a relationship.
"Identify when somebody is demeaning you, isolating you, controlling you, making you feel less than your full self and then blaming you for it. Those are signs that this person is not safe," HAWC President and CEO Emilee Whitehurst said.
Experts also wanted to remind people that it doesn't matter your age or background -- anyone can be a victim of an abusive relationship and knowing where to go for help is key.
Rice University activated a call center to support the community and they're also providing counselors.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.