Conservatives have raised concerns about how the Associated Press reported on the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student found dead last Thursday. The AP article focused on the dangers faced by solo female athletes, prompting backlash from social media users who pointed out the omission of crucial details about the suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra. It was later revealed that Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and had a criminal record, including a previous arrest in New York City. Despite this information, the AP's coverage did not address Ibarra's immigration status or criminal background, leading to accusations of biased reporting. RealClearPolitics co-founder Tom Bevan expressed disappointment with the media framing, while Outkick columnist Mary Katharine Ham criticized the AP for downplaying the risks posed by criminals in the community. ICE confirmed that Ibarra was encountered by Customs and Border Protection in September 2022 and released for further processing, shedding light on the failures in enforcing immigration laws. The Associated Press has been called out for their handling of the story, with demands for accurate and comprehensive reporting on cases involving illegal immigrants and criminal activities.

Date Mentioned: September 8, 2022; September 14, 2023