Killing of Laken Riley | |
---|---|
Location | University of Georgia—Oconee Forest Park, Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
Coordinates | 33°55′40″N 83°22′22″W / 33.9279°N 83.3728°W |
Date | February 22, 2024 9 a.m.—1 p.m (EST) |
Attack type | Homicide by blunt trauma and asphyxiation |
Victim | Laken Riley |
Motive | Unknown |
Accused | José Antonio Ibarra |
Charges |
|
On February 22, 2024, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student,[2] was killed while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.[3] Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park near Lake Herrick;[4] her death was caused by blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.[2][5]
The suspect, José Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan who had entered the United States illegally.[6] He was arrested by UGA police and has been charged with 10 charges, including felony murder, malice murder, false imprisonment aggravated assault with intent to rape and kidnapping.[7][8][5] He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.[9] The trial is expected to take place on November 18, 2024.[10]
The killing of Riley made international news, generating extensive media attention.[11] It sparked a debate over immigration in the United States after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and was caught crossing the border but was released into the United States.[3] On March 7, 2024, the House of Representatives passed an immigration bill named the Laken Riley Act, requiring federal detention of migrants who commit burglary or theft.[12]
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