Classes were scheduled to resume at the University of Georgia Monday, after being cancelled in the wake of the on-campus murder of 22-year nursing student Laken Riley. University of Georgia Police say Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested in connection with that crime. UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark says he is facing an extensive list of charges. UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark.
“He has been charged with the following: malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and kidnaping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another,” Clark said.
The remarks came during a Friday press conference. Authorities issued a search warrant for Ibarra’s apartment, but the chief said that evidence wasn’t needed in the arrest.
“The evidence is robust, it is supported by key input from the community, physical evidence and expert police work,” he said.
“Importantly, we were assisted by video footage from our campus security cameras network, which have proven vital in many cases.”
Clark says Ibarra lives in Athens but is not a U.S. citizen. They do not believe he and the victim were familiar with each other.
“At this time the investigation suggests that they had no relationship,” according to Clark. “He did not know her at all, I think this was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual and bad things happened.”
A vigil will be held at 3 pm Monday at Tate Plaza t o remember the two UGA students who died last week.
