The Tragic Loss of Andrea Rodriguez Avila at Rice University
Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a 21-year-old junior and pre-law student at Rice University, was a shining star among her peers. Tragically, her life was cut short when she was shot and killed in her campus dorm room. Her parents describe her as a “gift to the world” who had an incredible ability to make everyone around her feel special.
On the first day of the fall semester, Andrea and a male non-student were found dead in her room at Jones College. The male, identified as Habeneyom Belai, took his own life after fatally shooting Andrea. It was revealed that there was a troubled relationship between the two, as indicated by a note left by Belai.
University officials shared that Andrea was a dedicated student majoring in political science with dreams of working for the United Nations. She transferred to Rice from the Community College of Baltimore County and quickly made a positive impact on campus.
Her parents released a heartfelt statement honoring their daughter’s memory: “Our family is devastated after the loss of our beautiful Andrea. She was a loving, caring, humble, and intelligent gift to the world who made everyone feel special.”
Despite the tragedy, Andrea’s family urges others to celebrate her life by showing care and kindness to those around them. They also dispel rumors of a relationship between Andrea and the shooter, emphasizing that Belai was solely responsible for her untimely demise.
Remembering Andrea Rodriguez Avila
Originally from Nottingham, Maryland, Andrea had a passion for community involvement and student leadership. At Rice, she held roles in various organizations, including the Rice Student Association and the honor council.
Prior to attending Rice, Andrea was actively engaged in campus life at the Community College of Baltimore County, where she participated in multiple student groups and received recognition for her scholastic achievements.
Resources for Victims of Domestic or Family Violence
Unfortunately, domestic and family violence cases are on the rise in the Houston area. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, there are discreet ways to seek help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center offers a 24-hour hotline at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551 for victims of domestic violence. Additionally, the Family Time Crisis Center can be reached at 281-446-2615 at any time.
For national support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), and Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting START to 88788.