Over a week has passed since the tragic murder of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman, allegedly at the hands of an undocumented immigrant. Yet, the university’s newspaper, the Loyola Phoenix, continues to prominently feature a tool designed to track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, inviting the public to report sightings of ICE operations in the area.
Last October, the editorial team at the Loyola Phoenix introduced an interactive map aimed at documenting ICE activity. This initiative relies on the community and readers to provide tips about ICE actions, which the newspaper then verifies before sharing on their platforms. This ICE tracker remains a focal point on the newspaper’s Instagram, pinned to the top of their profile for easy access.
The Phoenix expressed its intentions clearly: “While social media can rapidly disseminate information, it also has the potential to spread misinformation. As student journalists, we aim to leverage our platform to offer a reliable source for verified ICE sightings, especially during these significant times,” the post elaborates.
In their efforts, the Phoenix states, “We have created a map to document ICE agent locations. Anyone can submit information, which we will verify before it appears on our social media channels and website.”
Sheridan Gorman, originally from New York, was nearing the completion of her freshman year at Loyola University Chicago when the incident occurred. Tragically, the 18-year-old lost her life in the early hours of March 19 while socializing with friends at a pier in the city’s Roger’s Park area. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, identified as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly fired the fatal shot.
Gorman, 18, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of March 19 while she spent time with friends on the pier in the city’s Roger’s Park neighborhood. DHS officials say Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly fired one shot at the Loyola University Chicago student, killing her.
Medina-Medina was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to DHS.
Earlier this week, The Loyola Phoenix found itself in hot water after activists badgered the paper about using the term “illegal immigrant” in a story and the word “immigrant” in the headline.
The paper’s editorial staff swiftly apologized and updated the language, dropping the relevant information about Medina-Medina’s immigration status.
Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national, was also arrested for shoplifting and released before the alleged murder, DHS confirmed. (DHS)
A long editor’s note in the body of the article, originally titled “Immigrant Man Charged in Murder of Sheridan Gorman, DHS Involved,” explained that those terms were improper.
“That headline didn’t reflect the most important elements in the story, and it was taken down minutes later to prevent any further harm to affected community members,” the editor’s note said.
“Additionally, in the body of the original post, we described the man who was charged as an ‘illegal immigrant,’ using language provided by the Department of Homeland Security,” it said. “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 note conceded that the story’s language caused harm.
Police take two people into custody, as tear gas fills the air after it was used by federal law enforcement agents who were being confronted by community members and activists for reportedly shooting a woman in the Brighton Park neighborhood on October 4, 2025, in Broadview, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“We acknowledge the harm such language can cause and the power and importance of the words we choose to use,” the note said. “We deeply regret these errors, and we’re committed to continuing the high standards we hold for ourselves as journalists and members of the Loyola, Rogers Park and Chicago communities.”
The alleged murder has caused a political uproar, as the Gorman family and local and federal officials have blasted Chicago and the state of Illinois for their pronounced refusal to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Gorman’s family wrote a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill. and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson demanding accountability.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a press conference announcing the top-voted name in the city’s 2026 “You Name a Snowplow” contest, “Abolish ICE.” (Erin Hooley/AP)
“What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to a ‘senseless tragedy,’ nor can it be explained in general terms about public safety. Sheridan was our daughter. She was 18 years old. She was doing something entirely normal—walking near her campus with friends. She should be here,” the family said.
“Calling this ‘senseless’ is not enough. There must be a clear and honest accounting of what went wrong,” the family added. “We will not allow Sheridan’s life to be reduced to a talking point or a generalization. We expect leadership that is willing to confront hard truths and ensure that what happened to her does not happen again.”
Neither The Loyola Phoenix nor Loyola University Chicago returned requests for comment.
