Hofstra Student Killed: Andrea Rebello, 21, Is Accidentally Killed By Police Gunfire During Attempted Robbery

Several people were at one point held hostage at a home just outside of Hofstra University in Nassau County. Those who managed to escape ran to tell police of the incident unfolding in the house.

When police arrived on the scene Friday, they witnessed Andrea Rebello being kept in a headlock with a gun to her head by Dalton Smith, who was wanted for violating parole and a previous robbery conviction.

Nassau police opened fire on the suspect, firing eight bullets. Seven struck Smith, 30, and one fatally injured the 21-year-old student, the New York Times reported Sunday.

Smith was also killed in the incident.

Smith allegedly broke into the house at around 2:20 a.m. Friday and was displeased with the items he found there. He ordered one of the roommates to an ATM, threatening to kill one of the hostages if she did not return in eight minutes, ABC News reported.

While she was outside, she called 911 and police were immediately dispatched to the scene.

At least one officer entered the home upon arrival to find Smith gripping the Hofstra junior and brandishing a gun. Officers opened fired when the masked intruder pointed the gun at police, Lt. John Azzata told reporters.

"At that point, the police officer fires several rounds," Detective Azzata said. "Seven of those rounds struck our subject; one of those rounds struck the victim."

Rebello was struck in the head.

Forensic investigators revealed Saturday that the bullet that had killed Rebello belonged to police forces. Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale personally traveled to Tarrytown, NY, about 40 miles outside of the university to personally tell her parents about the findings.

"I felt obligated as a police commissioner and as a parent to inform them as soon as all the forensic results were completed," he said.

Azzata said the officer who fired the fatal shot was a 12-year veteran on the force, but would not publically reveal his name or any other information pertaining to his career.

Smith had an extensive criminal history, which may prompt police to investigate why he was not more closely monitored. It remains unclear what his motives were in selecting that specific house on California Avenue where Rebello lived with her twin sister Jessica.

Police have concluded that Smith is from Hempstead, NY, but have no public documents indicating a specific address.

University students have since expressed fear after the incident as the community where this occurred has a high student population.

"Walking after class after 7 p.m. or 9 p.m., it feels really unsafe to walk outside of campus across Hempstead Turnpike," said Jack Qiu, 20, a sophomore. "If you walk around California Avenue and the streets around them, there are streets there that don't have street lamps."

A funeral for Rebello will take place Wednesday at Tarrytown, N.Y., the Coffee Funeral Home told the NY Times. She will be buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetary.