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Suspect in death of Augusta University student found on UGA campus taken into custody

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Suspect in death of Augusta University student found on UGA campus taken into custody


Campus police arrested a suspect in the killing of an Augusta University College of Nursing student on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, according to local authorities.

Campus police said they are recommending charges against Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Athens, including felony murder, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and concealing the death of another in the killing of Laken Riley. Ibarra will be taken to the Clarke County Jail, police said at a Friday news conference.

Riley, a junior on the dean’s list at Augusta University College of Nursing, was found dead near a lake at the University of Georgia’s campus Thursday after jogging in the area. UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark described her killing as a “crime of opportunity” by “an individual who woke up with bad intentions.” There was no evidence the two knew each other, according to Clark. Riley died from blunt force trauma, he added.

Police say they used footage from campus security cameras as well as physical evidence to tie the suspect to Riley’s killing, Clark said. They also executed a search warrant at the suspect’s apartment.

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The suspect does not have an “extensive” criminal history, according to Clark. Ibarra is a resident of Athens, but not a US citizen or a student at UGA, he added.

“The evidence suggests that this was a solo act,” Clark said, adding authorities had taken 3 or 4 people in custody but only arrested Ibarra. He said there were “no indications of a continuing threat to the community related to this case at this time.”

UGA earlier announced police had identified a person of interest who was being questioned amid an intense search for the student’s killer.

Investigators scoured the wooded area on campus trying to find clues as to who may have killed Riley.

“We want to stress that this continues to be an active ongoing investigation,” spokesperson Greg Trevor said.

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Before her enrollment at Augusta University, Riley was a student at the University of Georgia until 2023, UGA spokesperson Cole Sosebee said.

Classes were cancelled Friday as authorities continued to search for clues and two college communities grieve.

Authorities received a call around noon Thursday from a person who was concerned after their friend went jogging at the university’s intramural fields and never returned, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said Thursday evening.

Investigators found the jogger’s body around 12:38 p.m. in an area behind a nearby lake, Clark said.

Laken Hope Riley attended UGA before studying nursing at Augusta University. - Obtained by CNN

Laken Hope Riley attended UGA before studying nursing at Augusta University. – Obtained by CNN

All classes on the University of Georgia’s Athens campus were canceled Friday and will resume Monday, the school said.

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Augusta University canceled Friday classes at the College of Nursing campus in Athens, which is about 2.5 miles from the University of Georgia’s intramural fields.

Augusta University’s president issued a statement Thursday, mourning the loss of the student.

“It is with deepest sorrow that I share with you the news that one of our students at our College of Nursing campus at Athens has passed away,” Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a letter to his school’s community.

UGA suffers 2 tragedies less than a day apart

Athens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the University of Georgia intramural fields in Athens on Thursday. - Joshua L. Jones/Online Athens/USA Today NetworkAthens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the University of Georgia intramural fields in Athens on Thursday. - Joshua L. Jones/Online Athens/USA Today Network

Athens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the University of Georgia intramural fields in Athens on Thursday. – Joshua L. Jones/Online Athens/USA Today Network

Riley’s body was discovered hours after the “sudden death” of a UGA student the night before, campus officials said.

That student was found dead in Brumby Hall, and police found “no indications of any criminal actions or foul play,” according to UGA police records. The incident was listed as a death investigation/suicide.

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“The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university,” the school said Thursday. “And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today’s devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University

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Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – In a game that saw 19 lead changes, Georgia College and State prevailed over Augusta 99-91 in overtime Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars fall to 2-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 6-7 overall. The Bobcats are now 3-0 in conference play and 6-2 overall.

C.J. Jones of GCSU was the star of this one as he poured in 42 points to lead all scorers and also grabbed eight rebounds in the win.

The Jaguars fell behind midway through the second half, but with just one second left in regulation, T.J. Baker hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. But in the extra period, GCSU outscored AU 18-10 for the winning margin. 

Luis Nonfon, who had another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, started the scoring in overtime and gave the Jags the 83-81 lead. GCSU then rattled off five straight points to take the lead, one they would not surrender. 

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The Jaguars had five players in double figures led by Elías Pálsson who tallied 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds. T.J. Baker and Tobias Prall each had 18 points while Charlie McBeath scored 13. 

Augusta hit on just 35% of their shots from the field while GCSU hit on 52.5%. The Bobcats outscored Augusta 46-22 in the paint and went 8-18 from three-point range while Augusta finished 10 of 29 from deep. From the foul line, both teams went 29-36. 

Other than Nonfon grabbing double figures in rebounds, Pálsson eight rebounds and was a perfect 12-12 from the foul line. 

Next up for the Jaguars will be a battle with Reinhardt University on Thursday at 11 a.m., part of Columbia County Education Day. 

 

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County deputies searching for suspect after armed robbery on Wheeler Road

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Richmond County deputies searching for suspect after armed robbery on Wheeler Road


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County started a search for an armed robbery suspect Saturday evening.

They started the search on the 3700 block of Wheeler Road after an alleged armed robbery at an SRP ATM.

The suspect is described as a 40-year-old black male, wearing all black, a face mask and a camouflage jacket.

The suspect fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.

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The sheriff’s office used K9 Units, along with the drone unit, to search.

This investigation is in its early stages, and no further information is available at this time.



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Augusta, GA

Aerospace program milestone reached at Thompson Farm in Augusta

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Aerospace program milestone reached at Thompson Farm in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students at Richmond County Technical Magnet School achieved a milestone by launching their 500th non-kit rocket.

Students launched rockets at Thompson Farm in Augusta. The launch is part of the school’s aerospace program that has been part of their STEM curriculum since 2014.

The Augusta Fire Department collaborated with the group for the launch.

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