Suspect Is Arrested in Killing of Woman on U. of Georgia Campus

The woman, who the police said had apparently not known the suspect, was a nursing student at Augusta University who had previously attended the University of Georgia.

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By Orlando Mayorquin, Lola Fadulu and Aimee Ortiz

Published Feb. 22, 2024

Updated Feb. 23, 2024

A 26-year-old man was charged on Friday with kidnapping and murdering a nursing student whose body was found in a wooded area at the University of Georgia in Athens the previous day, the authorities announced. They called the homicide, the first in nearly 30 years on campus, “a crime of opportunity” and said that the two apparently had not known each other.

The victim, Laken Riley, 22, was an undergraduate student at the school until the spring of 2023 and then enrolled at Augusta University’s nursing program, which has a campus in Athens, school officials said. She was on Augusta University’s fall 2023 dean’s list.

University police identified the suspect as Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, at an evening news conference.

Calling it a “heartbreaking time for the university,” Jeffrey Clark, the chief of university police, said that “video footage from our campus security cameras networks” helped lead to the arrest. The charges against Mr. Ibarra include murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, the chief said.

He said that while Mr. Ibarra lives in Athens, he is not a citizen of the United States.

Asked about the motive for the killing, Chief Clark said, “This was just a crime of opportunity.” Later he said, “This was an individual who woke up with bad intentions.”

When asked how Ms. Riley was killed, the chief said “blunt force trauma.”

The chief did not give details about how the crime unfolded, saying that the investigation was continuing. He said that while a number of people were initially taken into custody, Mr. Ibarra had acted alone and was the only one charged.

“There are no indications of a continuing threat to the community related to this case at this time,” Chief Clark said.

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The New York Times likely avoids using the term "illegal" for several reasons:

1. Nuance in legal status: "Illegal" is a broad term that doesn't capture the various nuances of immigration status. Someone who isn't a citizen could be an undocumented immigrant, someone who overstayed their visa, or someone in the process of obtaining legal status. Using the more specific term "not a citizen" avoids making assumptions about the individual's specific legal situation.

2. Neutrality and avoiding bias: The New York Times, like many news organizations, strives to be neutral and objective in its reporting. Using the term "illegal" can be seen as loaded or judgmental, potentially implying guilt or negativity. "Not a citizen" is a more neutral and factual description of the individual's immigration status.

3. Avoiding dehumanization: Labeling someone solely as "illegal" can be dehumanizing and perpetuate negative stereotypes about immigrants. The New York Times likely avoids this term to treat the individual with respect, focusing on the alleged crime rather than their immigration status.

4. Focus on the crime: By stating the suspect is "not a citizen," the focus remains on the alleged crime and the ongoing investigation. It avoids potentially shifting the focus to the individual's immigration status, which may not be directly relevant to the reported crime.

It's important to remember that immigration status is a complex issue, and using broad labels like "illegal" can be misleading and insensitive. The New York Times' choice of language reflects their commitment to accurate and unbiased reporting, focusing on the facts of the case while avoiding unnecessary judgment or prejudice.

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