Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student from Georgia, was tragically murdered on the University of Georgia campus. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, has been charged with her murder. It is not confirmed whether Ibarra is in the country illegally, but it is known that he is not a U.S. citizen. The investigation revealed that Riley went for a jog at the intramural fields and when she didn’t return, her roommate contacted the police. Authorities discovered her body in a wooded area, showing signs of visible injuries.
The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma. Ibarra faces multiple charges, including malice and felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.
“They had no relationship,” Police Chief Jeff Clark told the Athens Banner-Herald. “He did not know her at all. It was a crime of opportunity.”
“This is a heartbreaking time for the University of Georgia,” the chief said.
Both universities cancelled classes in the aftermath of Riley’s death. Chief Clark urged students to “travel in groups” and keep their “head on a swivel.”
It is unfortunate that the lack of border security under President Biden’s administration has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, such as Laken Riley’s. The Democrats must take action to prevent further tragedies caused by the invasion of our nation.