Junior Rice University student is found dead in her dorm in apparent murder-suicide alongside non-student boyfriend who had self-inflicted gunshot sounds on first day of fall semester

A university student in Houston, Texas has been found dead in her dorm room along with a gunman in an apparent murder-suicide.

The body of junior student Andrea Rodriguez Avila was discovered by Rice University police at 4.30pm CT on Monday.

It came after a family member asked for a wellness check and officers saw she missed classes that day.

Rice University in Texas was put into a nearly two-hour lockdown as students attended their first day of classes after the tragic discovery.

The shooter is an unidentified male who was not a student and was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rice University Police said that the two were in a relationship and the shooter, who is possibly from Florida, was not a registered visitor and most likely gained access to the dorm coming in with Ms Avila.

There were no signs of forced entry into Ms Avila's room.

According to Fox26, a note written by the shooter was also found, in which he claimed the pair were having a troubled dating relationship.

Based on the note, investigators believe the man shot Avila before shooting himself.

Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said: 'In general terms, it was a lot about their relationship and obviously they were having a troubled relationship at this time.'

While announcing the tragic incident, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said: 'This is a speech that no president ever wants to make.

'Tonight, I want all of our students, our parents and the entire Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe and there is no immediate threat, and tonight we will wrap our arms around our students.'

The university was put into a campus-wide lockdown at around 5:40pm and was lifted at 7.18pm, CNN reported.

The Rice University Police Department is leading the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department.

Ms Avila lived in Jones College which is one of 11 residential colleges that house Rice undergraduates.

Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez did not say where in Maryland Ms Avila is from but her family is flying to Texas today.

Rice University said in a statement on Monday night: 'We are heartbroken to tell you that earlier today Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a student at Jones College, was found deceased in her room on campus during a wellness check by RUPD.

'According to investigators at the scene, Andrea is believed to be a victim of homicide. A second individual, who was not a member of the Rice community, was also found deceased in the room.

'Investigators believe the second individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and may have known Andrea. There was no sign of forced entry into her room.

'Please be assured that RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.

'As you gather to support one another, please respect the Jones community by giving them the space to mourn. We anticipate additional information regarding remembrance and resources to be shared in the coming days.'