CHICAGO — More than a week after the Department of Homeland Security attributed the fatal shooting of a Loyola University Chicago freshman to an undocumented immigrant, the university's student newspaper continues to prominently feature an online tracker designed to monitor Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the area.
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old from New York, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of March 19 while walking with friends on a pier in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood, near the Loyola campus. According to DHS officials, Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, allegedly fired a single shot that struck Gorman, leading to her death. Medina-Medina had been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released into the country under the Biden administration's policies, DHS confirmed. Prior to the alleged murder, he had also been arrested for shoplifting in Chicago and released, according to the agency.
The Loyola Phoenix, the student-run publication at the Jesuit university, launched its ICE tracker last October as a tool to document and verify sightings of federal immigration agents. The interactive map, which solicits tips from the public, is pinned to the top of the newspaper's Instagram profile and is frequently highlighted in its posts. "While social media spreads knowledge quickly, it also has the potential to spread misinformation. As student journalists, we want to use our platform to create a consolidated location for verified ICE sightings to be documented during this historic time," the newspaper stated in an Instagram post announcing the tracker. "The Phoenix has created a map to pin the locations of ICE agent sightings. Anyone will be able to submit information to us, and we will verify it before posting it to our social media and website."
The tracker's persistence on the newspaper's platforms has drawn criticism amid the high-profile case, with some viewing it as tone-deaf given the circumstances of Gorman's death. Neither The Loyola Phoenix nor Loyola University Chicago responded to requests for comment on whether the tool would be removed or updated in light of the incident.
Earlier this week, the newspaper faced separate backlash over its initial reporting on Gorman's death. In a story titled "Immigrant Man Charged in Murder of Sheridan Gorman, DHS Involved," the article referred to Medina-Medina as an "illegal immigrant," citing language from the Department of Homeland Security. Activists quickly criticized the terminology, prompting the editorial staff to issue an apology and revise the piece.
An editor's note appended to the updated article explained the changes. "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 note read. It continued, "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. 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."
"We acknowledge the harm such language can cause and the power and importance of the words we choose to use. We deeply regret these errors, and we’re committed to continuing the high standards we hold ourselves for as journalists and members of the Loyola, Rogers Park and Chicago communities."
The apology highlighted the newspaper's adherence to AP style guidelines, which recommend avoiding the term "illegal immigrant" in favor of more precise descriptions like "living in the country illegally." The revised headline and body omitted references to Medina-Medina's immigration status altogether.
Gorman's death has ignited a fierce political debate in Chicago, a city known for its sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, broke his silence on the case this week, attributing the politicization of the incident to former President Donald Trump. "What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to a ‘senseless tragedy,’ nor can it be explained in general terms about public safety," Pritzker said in a statement, though he emphasized the need to avoid using the tragedy for partisan gain.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, linked the slaying directly to Democratic immigration policies. "College student's alleged murder by illegal went exactly as Dems ‘intended,’" Johnson stated, criticizing sanctuary jurisdictions like Chicago for what he described as enabling such outcomes.
The victim's family has been vocal in their demand for accountability from state and city leaders. In a letter addressed to Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, the Gormans expressed profound grief and frustration. "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 wrote. They added, "Calling this ‘senseless’ is not enough. There must be a clear and honest accounting of what went wrong. 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."
Chicago Ald. Maria Hadden issued an apology after initially describing Gorman's presence at the scene as being in the "wrong place at the wrong time," a phrase that drew ire from the family and advocates. "I am deeply sorry for my insensitive comments," Hadden said in a public statement, acknowledging the pain caused by her words.
The case has also spotlighted broader tensions over immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities. Retired Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem and retired Police Chief Jeff Halstead discussed the issue on Fox News, pointing to growing backlash against policies in places like Chicago. "This is exactly what happens when you have sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate," Clem said, linking the incident to unrest among teenagers in the city and other recent migrant-related crimes.
Medina-Medina, who faces charges of first-degree murder, remains in custody. Prosecutors have not yet detailed a motive, but DHS has reiterated that his prior release into the U.S. followed standard procedures at the time. The agency noted that Medina-Medina had no prior violent criminal history in the U.S. beyond the shoplifting arrest.
As the investigation continues, community activists in Rogers Park and Brighton Park neighborhoods have rallied against increased ICE presence, with recent protests in October 2025 involving tear gas after federal agents reportedly shot a woman during an operation. Those events, captured in images of police detaining protesters, underscore the ongoing friction between local residents and immigration authorities.
Mayor Johnson, who recently celebrated a snowplow naming contest winner called "Abolish ICE," has defended the city's approach to immigration while expressing condolences for Gorman. "Our hearts go out to the Gorman family," Johnson said at a press conference. However, he stopped short of committing to changes in sanctuary protocols.
The tragedy has prompted calls from federal Republicans for stricter enforcement and an end to catch-and-release practices. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has not commented directly on the case but has previously defended the administration's border management amid record migrant encounters. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported over 2.4 million encounters at the southern border, with many individuals released pending immigration hearings that can take years.
For the Loyola community, the loss of Gorman—a student just months from finishing her freshman year—has left a void. Friends and classmates remembered her on social media as vibrant and full of promise, with photos from her Instagram showing her enjoying campus life. As spring semester winds down, discussions on campus have turned to safety, immigration, and the role of student media in sensitive reporting.
Legal proceedings against Medina-Medina are expected to begin in the coming months, with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office leading the prosecution. The Gorman family's letter has not received a formal response from Pritzker or Johnson as of this reporting, but sources close to the administration indicate internal reviews of immigration-related incidents are underway. Whether this case will lead to policy shifts in Chicago or Illinois remains to be seen, but it has undeniably amplified national conversations on border security and urban sanctuary status.