HOUSTON — Rice University released new details on a student who was found shot to death in her campus dorm Monday.
Andrea Rodriguez Avila, 21, and a male non-student were found dead in her dorm on the first day of the fall semester. 22-year-old Habeneyom Belai died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials said there were no signs of forced entry.
According to university officials, Avila was a junior, pre-law student at Rice majoring in political science.
She is from Nottingham, Maryland, and transferred to the university in spring 2024 from Community College of Baltimore County.
While attending college in Baltimore, Avila was active in the college-wide student programming board, Multicultural Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the First Year Experience Mentor program, according to the university.
While at Rice University, officials said Avila was deputy parliamentarian of the Rice Student Association, a peer academic advisor at Jones College and an at-large representative of the university's honor council.
Rice University Police Chief Clemete Rodriguez said it appears Avila let the shooter inside. Rodriguez also said the 22-year-old shooter left a note behind detailing his troubled relationship with Avila. The two had been dating, according to the Houston Police Department.
Rice University President Reginald DesRoche said the discovery was made during a welfare check around 4:30 p.m.
They started checking on Avila when a family member called asking for a welfare check. University officials checked and saw Avila hadn't gone to class on Monday, so they went to her dorm to check on her. That's when the discovery was made.
They said there were no previous issues at Avila's dorm.
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.