University Newspaper Issues Apology Over 'Illegal Immigrant' Description of Murder Suspect
A student newspaper at Loyola University Chicago has issued a formal apology for referring to a murder suspect as an 'illegal immigrant' in its initial reporting. The suspect, Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, is charged with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old freshman Sheridan Gorman.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The alleged murder occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 19, at Toby Prinz Beach along Lake Michigan in Chicago's Rogers Park neighbourhood. According to police reports, a mask-wearing suspect dressed in black approached Gorman and her friends as they were walking around 1am. The suspect allegedly fired rounds at the group as they attempted to flee. Sheridan Gorman was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
Medina-Medina was subsequently arrested by Chicago Police Department officers. Prosecutors stated that security video from the area tracked the suspect to his residence, where officers recovered a handgun and ammunition matching the bullet that killed Gorman. He was identified with assistance from a building engineer and his mother.
Immigration Status and Criminal Background
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Medina was apprehended by US Border Patrol while crossing the border in May 2023 but was subsequently released into the country. DHS also confirmed that Medina was arrested for shoplifting at a Macy's department store in Chicago approximately one month after entering the United States.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against Medina, requesting local officials to hold him in custody for potential transfer into federal immigration custody rather than releasing him.
The Newspaper's Controversial Reporting and Subsequent Apology
Loyola Chicago's student newspaper, The Phoenix, initially reported on the homicide through an Instagram post that described Medina as an 'illegal immigrant' in the caption. A subsequent slide cited DHS statements confirming his immigration status and criminal record.
However, the paper's editor later issued a correction and apology, stating that the wording did not align with Associated Press style guidelines or the publication's values. The correction read in part: 'That language does not align with Associated Press style, nor does it align with the values of this newspaper. No human's existence is illegal, and we quickly changed our wording to reflect that.'
The newspaper acknowledged the harm such language could cause and emphasised the importance of word choice in journalism. They have since edited their reporting to refer to Medina as a 'Rogers Park resident' instead.
Political Reactions and Family Statements
Former President Donald Trump commented on the shooting during a March 23 press conference, stating: 'It's devastating. These people were let in by Biden. We're getting them out. We're getting them out fast. That's why ICE is so important.'
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned the killing in a DHS statement, blaming what she described as lax immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies. She stated: 'Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life. She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians.'
Gorman's family acknowledged the arrest while emphasising it marked only the beginning of the legal process. They described Sheridan as an 18-year-old with 'her entire life ahead of her' and rejected any suggestion that the killing was simply a matter of 'wrong place, wrong time.' The family statement concluded: 'Sheridan's life mattered. What happened to her matters. And we will make sure she is not forgotten.'
Legal Proceedings and Health Complications
Medina faces multiple charges including one felony count of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm, and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and carrying a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification card.
He was scheduled to appear in court but did not attend after being hospitalised with tuberculosis. The legal proceedings are ongoing as authorities pursue both state and federal charges against the suspect.
