A 21-year-old Northeastern student died early Sunday morning after falling from the roof of his off-campus apartment on Northampton Street in Roxbury.

Brian Evans, a sophomore political science major, was pronounced dead at the scene, Boston Police Department (BPD) spokesman David Estrada said.

Estrada could not cite the identity of the victim, pending the completion of an autopsy, but said the death is being considered an accident.

Northeastern President Joseph Aoun identified the student in a statement released yesterday.

“By all accounts, Brian was a wonderful young man and a bright light here at Northeastern,” he said. “He brought a passion for diversity from his home in California to our campus community and established many friendships.”

His roommate and friend, Justin Marchetti, said he was not with Evans at the time of the accident, but said Evans most likely climbed out his fourth-floor bedroom window to reach a flat section of the roof.

“Brian came home after a night of being out with friends and he decided to go up on the roof,” Marchetti said. “I’m not sure for what reason, maybe to get some fresh air or to have a cigarette.”

Marchetti said the area “definitely wasn’t a roof that was meant to have direct access,” but talked about sitting there from time to time.

Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier said university officials contacted the student’s family and friends to offer condolences. Grief counseling services have been made available through University Health and Counseling Services.

“We’ve talked with them as a group to see if they’d like to do any kind of memorial service with the Spiritual Life Center staff,” Klotzbier said. “And we’ve been talking to different students to make sure they’re OK and then, to see if they know other friends who may not be OK that we would also reach out to.”

“It’s just a matter of whatever it takes,” Klotzbier said. “It’s a tragic accident, and it’s tough when a young person dies, especially for those left behind.”