The undocumented Venezuelan immigrant charged in the shocking murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley “shouldn’t have been here,” an outraged friend has said.
Riley, 22, a student at Augusta University, died on February 22nd while jogging on the nearby University of Georgia campus.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally in 2022, is being held without bail on charges including malicious murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and kidnapping.
Former classmate and friend Carrie Irvin told the paper that although the suspect did not know Riley, there was no way he could have carried out the alleged attack on his beloved student.
“I think it’s starting to become clear what actually happened,” Irvin said Friday. “We were shocked and really sad. It was completely unexpected.
“But now there’s anger. At least I can say I’m angry.”
Irvin said Riley and others close to her were upset that Ybarra, who lives in Athens, Georgia, was allowed to stay in the United States after entering the country illegally two years ago.
“People are really starting to question why this was allowed to happen,” she continued. “None of us are trying to make this a political issue. Laken was not one of those people.
“But the facts are the facts. He shouldn’t have been allowed to do that. He shouldn’t have been here.”
Riley, whose death drew attention during Thursday’s State of the Union address, did not return home from a run last month and friends alerted authorities.
UGA police later discovered her body, which had sustained “severe” injuries as well as her skull, according to the affidavit.
Follow The Post’s coverage of Laken Riley’s murder
“The more time passes, the more the shock will wear off and people will be really angry,” Irvin said. “Because this is pointless and should have been stopped.”
Meanwhile, Riley’s mother said the killing has torn apart her family.
Days after celebrating her daughter’s life at Woodstock City Church, Allison Phillips thanked pastors in a Facebook post for the “hard work, love and hard work that all of us have put into getting through this tragic time. I will be forever grateful for the support, prayers, and efforts.” .
“Laken loved inviting people to go to church with him and share his faith,” his devastated mother wrote. “Her love for our Lord Jesus was contagious and helped many people develop and expand their relationship with our Lord and Savior.”
Riley “lived forever” because he “knew Jesus personally,” Phillips claimed.
“He never left her side until her last moments on earth and will take care of her now and forever in heaven,” Phillips’ post continued.
“Knowing that gives me peace in the midst of this tragedy.”
