The White House spokesperson stated, "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley." The representative further emphasized that those found guilty should be "held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," but deferred further inquiries to state law enforcement and ICE, given the ongoing nature of the investigation.
President Joe Biden has not yet directly addressed the incident in his official capacity. The shocking murder of Riley, who was discovered deceased in a forested area of the UGA campus after going for a run, has sent shockwaves through the community.
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On February 23, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark announced the arrest of 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Ibarra had previously been arrested in New York and charged with acting in a manner to injure a child, following his release by border enforcement in Texas. However, he was not detained following this charge.
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In addition to Ibarra, his brother Diego has been apprehended by Athens law enforcement on three separate occasions for charges including driving under the influence, shoplifting, and failure to appear for fingerprinting. Jose Ibarra now faces charges of murder, kidnapping, and other felony criminal violations in relation to Riley's death.
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In a press conference, Police Chief Clark noted that it had been approximately 30 years since a homicide had occurred on campus. He revealed that Riley had been killed by blunt force trauma and stated, "He did not know her at all. I think this is a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual and bad things happened." Clark praised the robust evidence, community input, and expert police work that contributed to the investigation, highlighting the crucial role of video footage from the campus security cameras network.
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Riley's family released a statement expressing their gratitude for public support during this devastating time. The statement read, "We wish to thank the public for their prayers and thoughts during this tragic time." They remembered Riley as an "amazing daughter, sister, friend and overall person in general," whose love for the Lord was evident in every aspect of her life. The family vowed to honor Riley's life moving forward in a "very big way."
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