Executive Summary
- Jason Riley has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
- The complaint alleges the university failed to warn students of a known threat prior to the murder.
- Additional claims cite failures in background checks for campus employees and tenant screening by property managers.
- The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in Gwinnett County State Court.
ATLANTA — Jason Riley, the father of slain nursing student Laken Riley, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and associated property management companies, alleging that institutional negligence contributed to his daughter’s death in February 2024.
According to the complaint filed in Gwinnett County State Court, the lawsuit claims the Board of Regents failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus. The filing highlights that Jose Ibarra, the Venezuelan national convicted of Riley’s murder, had allegedly attempted to enter a graduate student’s on-campus apartment roughly one hour before the killing. The plaintiff argues that university officials failed to issue a timely warning to students and staff regarding this potential threat.
The lawsuit further asserts that the Board of Regents did not adhere to its own internal policies regarding employee screening. The complaint states that this oversight resulted in the hiring of Ibarra’s brother, who reportedly also lacked legal status in the U.S., for campus employment. Additionally, the filing accuses the property management firm responsible for Ibarra’s residence of failing to properly screen tenants, thereby allowing individuals with criminal histories to reside in close proximity to the student population.
Jason Riley is seeking a jury trial along with compensatory and punitive damages. A spokesperson for the Board of Regents stated that the body does not comment on pending litigation. It is important to note that a lawsuit represents legal allegations, and all defendants are presumed not liable until proven otherwise in a court of law.
Civil Liability and Campus Safety
This litigation brings into focus the legal responsibilities of higher education institutions regarding campus security and the duty to warn under federal and state guidelines. The case is expected to examine the specific protocols for emergency notifications and the extent of a university’s liability regarding the actions of third parties on its premises. Furthermore, the proceedings may establish significant precedents regarding the vetting processes for campus personnel and the oversight required for private property managers serving student communities.
