Thousands of students, staff and others filled Tate Plaza Monday afternoon for a vigil to honor two University of Georgia students who died last week. Laken Riley was murdered while out on a run Thursday. Student Greek organizations Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Sigma jointly hosted the event. UGA students Sammi Aromin attended the vigil.
"I ran against her in high school" Aromin said." It's really nice that the school put it on, so I wanted to pay my respects."
Aromin regularly works out in the lake Herrick area where the crime was committed.
"It was just shocking to hear that it happened somewhere, that's somewhere we consider safe on campus, she added. "That's where a lot of people run and just go to relax."
Like Aromin, UGA student Destin Howard often walks in the area, many times alone, a practice she will no longer continue.
"It's kind of traumatic, because you know I never want to walk over there again and I know a lot of other females feel the same way I do," Howard said. "Really just a little shaken up, but still glad to be a part of UGA."
Funeral services for Riley will take place on Friday. The other student died Wednesday evening in UGA’s Brumby Hall.
An online fundraiser for Riley’s memorial has raised more than $137,000 dollars as of Tuesday afternoon. According to a post from the page, all money donated will go toward starting the Laken Hope Riley Foundation, which will be used to drive homicide awareness and safety for women. Funeral services will take place on Friday.
Police arrested Jose Antonio Ibarra in connection with the case, He’s facing several charges, including murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.
Another student died Wednesday evening in UGA’s Brumby Hall.
