Rice University Female Student Shot and Killed in Dorm, Man Found with Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound; Everytown, Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond

The Shooting Comes Just One Day After the Semester Began, and After Everytown Released Research Finding that Gun Violence in Schools Rose by 31 Percent Last Year

HOUSTON, Texas. - The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, released the following statements in response to a shooting yesterday on Rice University's campus. While details are still emerging, reports indicate that Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a junior at Jones College, was found dead in her room on campus along with the shooter, who was not a student or registered visitor. Rice University Police found evidence the two individuals had been in a relationship, including a note written by the shooter.

"Yesterday was literally the first day of class at Rice University. It took less than 24 hours into the new semester for a normal school day to end in gun violence," said Manuela Nakashima, a volunteer leader with the Houston Students Demand Action chapter. "Our hearts are with the victims' families and the entire Rice community. We cannot accept these tragedies as inevitable. School safety is on the ballot this fall and it's on us-especially young voters-to show up and hold our leaders accountable. Our lives are worth more than the gun lobby's money."

"When you drop off your child at college, you should be worried about how you'll make it until Thanksgiving before you can see them again, not that they won't make it home alive," said Mayumi Waddy, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. "As our lawmakers are coming back from a full year off, we will be demanding that they pass common sense gun reform to protect our children. We shouldn't have to live like this."

Everytown just released data on domestic homicide-suicides with a firearm that reveals that on average, more than once per day in the United States, a tragedy occurs where a perpetrator kills an intimate partner, and then dies by suicide themself. Of these incidents, 93 percent involved a gun, and 95 percent had women killed by their male partners. These tragedies often include children, family members, and friends. Despite the devastation and immeasurable impact, these events garner little public attention and recognition as a frequent form of gun violence.

In an average year, 4,122 people in Texas die by guns. With a rate of 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people, Texas has the 27th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. 58% of gun deaths in Texas are by gun suicide.

If you are interested in speaking with a Texas Moms Demand Action or Students Demand volunteer, or a policy expert please reach out to [email protected].

Trauma-informed resources here

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free confidential support to people experiencing domestic violence and their loved ones anywhere in the US. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text "START" to 88788, or chat online at thehotline.org. You can also find more resources on domestic violence legal assistance in English and Spanish at WomensLaw.org