(gatewaypundit) Jason Riley, the father of Laken Riley, spoke to the Georgia State Senate on Wednesday during an event honoring her memory.
The Senate passed a resolution citing the accomplishment of the Augusta University nursing student before her untimely death last month, according to WAGA-TV in Atlanta.
Laken Riley was abducted and murdered on Feb. 22 while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens.
José Antonio Ibarra, who is allegedly in the country illegally, was arrested and charged with her death.
The murder and Ibarra’s arrest added fuel to the debate not only in the state of Georgia but throughout the nation about illegal immigration, the outlet reported.
Jason Riley said that his daughter’s murder had left him “heartbroken.”
“I stand before you, a heartbroken man,” he said. “Part of my purpose has been taken. God gave me a beautiful daughter to father, protect, provide for, and nurture.
“A man with an evil heart stole her life,” he added, apparently referring to Ibarra. “He was in this country and in this state illegally. My vision for every senator in this chamber is that you protect citizens from this illegal invasion.”
Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23, the day after Laken Riley’s murder, and remains in Athens-Clarke County Jail, having been denied bail.
“Ibarra, who is originally from Venezuela, entered the country illegally in 2022 and was living in Athens,” WAGA reported. “He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.