A parking structure at Riverside City College was shut down Monday morning, the first day of spring classes, for a police investigation into an apparent suicide, officials said.

UPDATE: Student’s apparent suicide at Riverside City College highlights need for access to mental health services

RCC spokesman Robert Schmidt said it appears a staff member found the body of a male about 6:30 a.m. and called police. Campus and city police were working together on the investigation.

He was identified Monday night as Bryan Perez, 36, of Perris, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

Students rush by the investigation scene at the Terracina and Magnolia parking structure where authoritinh are investigating a possible suicide. pic.twitter.com/ECDmQ5BuLo — Beatriz Valenzuela (@BeatrizVNews) February 12, 2018

Students began posting to social media about 6:45 a.m. that the parking area off Terracina Drive was off limits. Several students reported receiving an alert informing them not to park in the structure but it didn’t say why.

“I got the text this morning to park somewhere else, that the parking structure was closed,” Angela Burtech said. “When I found out it was a suicide, I got the chills. Terrible.”

Other students apparently didn’t get the message and, while trying to find parking on the other side of the structure, were confronted with the disturbing scene, according to some students on campus.

The college sent out an alert to students just after 9 a.m. stating the college hoped to have the structure opened by noon. The college also said officials had contacted instructors and no students will be dropped from the first day of class because of the situation.

A number of Riverside Transit Agency buses on routes that went by the college along Magnolia Avenue were delayed, the agency tweeted.

Several arriving students were shocked to learn of the apparent suicide. Most called it “terrible” before hurriedly walking off to class.

Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, or who wants to help someone else, can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org, for free and confidential support or resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A firefighter was just lowered over the side of the upper-floor entrance ramp to the structure. pic.twitter.com/njpovS6Gqw — Beatriz Valenzuela (@BeatrizVNews) February 12, 2018

This is why we need to talk about the hard subjects like depression and self harm. Young teens, older teens and even adults battle with depression and thoughts of suicide. I don’t care if it makes you uncomfortable. I rather have an uncomfortable conversation than a dead friend. https://t.co/Tzdky2iL7F — lauren 🍊 (@GodHatesLG) February 12, 2018