Athens Mayor Warns Against ‘Conflating Immigration and Crime’ After Murder of Laken Riley

Athens, Georgia mayor Kelly Girtz is warning against people “conflating” the issue of crime with immigration.

During a press conference on the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus, Girtz said, “In the main, I caution against conflating immigration and crime.”

“The data demonstrates that the two are not connected,” he added.

Girtz then noted the past four presidents have failed to secure a long time solution to the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Watch the video below:

His comment comes after the murder of Riley.

Riley was jogging along dirt trails in Athens when she was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.

Her murder comes amid a debate over the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

And Girtz was heckled with calls to resign as he tried to shoot down the claim Athens is a sanctuary city.

“You’re a liar!” one man shouted. “You’re the one who is guilty and got blood on your hands for this murder, sir!”

Others called for him to resign.