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A student was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at Rice University in Houston, which placed the school in lockdown for nearly two hours, according to officials.

"It is with deep sadness and shock that I write to you on what should have been a day filled with promise and new beginnings," said the university's president, Reginald DesRoches, in an email sent to the Rice community and forwarded to USA TODAY. "Instead, we find ourselves mourning the loss of one of our own in a tragic event that has shaken our campus to its core. "

Monday afternoon, the first day of the university's fall semester, Rice University police responded to a wellness check just before 4 p.m. local time, said DesRoches, at a press conference. They then found the victim's body in her room with an unidentified man who did not have a connection to the university.

The suspected shooter was also deceased with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Tonight, we will wrap our arms around our students," said DesRoches.

DesRoches confirmed there was no immediate threat on the university's campus and asked the community to keep those at the university in their prayers.

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