PICTURED: Rice University student Andrea Rodriguez Avila, 21, gunned down in dorm room murder-suicide on first day of classes

The 21-year-old Rice University student who was gunned down in a murder-suicide on the first day of classes has been pictured. 

Andrea Rodriguez Avila was a junior political science and pre-law major from Maryland who had just transferred to Rice University from the Community College of Baltimore County in the spring.

She had a promising future, her friends and colleagues say, as a deputy parliamentarian of the Rice Student Association, a peer academic advisor at her residential hall and a member of the university's Honor Council, FOX News reports. 

Avila was also active in many organizations at the Baltimore community college, including a college-wide student programming board, the Multicultural Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the First Year Experience mentor program, according to Click 2 Houston.

But Avila's life was tragically cut short when she was discovered dead in her dorm by Rice University police at 4.30pm CT on Monday, after her family members asked for a wellness check and officers saw she missed classes that day.

Police believe she was killed in a murder-suicide committed by an unidentified 22-year-old from Florida, with whom she was in a relationship.

He was found dead next to Avila with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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.' 

The release of his identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Meanwhile, Avila's death has shocked the school community.

'The whole department is really, really shocked about it,' Pamela DeLa Cruz, a PhD student in the same department told ABC 13. 

'There are grad students who say they felt terrible when they saw her name, that they had taught her last year.'

The Community College of Baltimore County also released a statement, saying: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a beloved member of the CCBC class of 2023.

'Andrea was a passionate leader, an exceptional scholar, and a mentor to many. Her infectious smile and unwavering determination inspired all who knew her.

'The CCBC community extends its deepest sympathies to Andrea's family during this difficult time.' 

Avila's family arrived in Houston on Tuesday morning, and are requesting privacy as they mourn.

'[Avila's family] is receiving support from the university's leadership team during this profoundly challenging time,' Rice University officials said.

'They have requested privacy as they mourn their loss but are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from the community.' 

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

School then remained closed on Tuesday, as the Rice University Police Department continues to investigate the murder-suicide with the help of the Houston Police Department.