RICHMOND – 2017 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today issued a statement following a troubling development in the heinous murder of 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen, in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Darwin Martinez Torres, the suspect in the case and a citizen of El Salvador, is in the country illegally:
“The incomprehensible murder this week of an innocent young woman has left Cathy and me, along with Virginians across the Commonwealth, heartbroken. With many facts of the case still unknown, I am confident that authorities will investigate this crime to the fullest extent of the law prior to making any conclusions.
“One thing we now know is that the accused murderer is in our country illegally, a troubling development that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
“The first imperative of government is the safety and security of its citizens. We must be able to work closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and with the Department of Homeland Security, and allowing for the establishment of sanctuary cities and issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants would make Virginians less safe.”