The Associated Press (AP) has experienced a barrage of criticism for its handling of a tragic story involving the brutal killing of 22-year-old nursing student, Laken Hope Riley. The 22-year-old was found dead after going missing during a morning run in the forested area of the University of Georgia campus.
The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Athens resident, was arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim and suspect were strangers, leading authorities to describe the murder as a “crime of opportunity.”
The AP’s coverage of the horrific incident then sparked an outcry among voices across social media platforms. Critics accused the AP of downplaying the killer’s illegal immigration status, focusing instead on framing the narrative around the fears of solo female athletes.
The angle has been seen by many as an attempt to divert attention from the critical issue at hand: the dangers posed by illegal immigration and the policies that allow such individuals to remain in the country.
WATCH:
High-profile conservative figures, including Scott Presler and Christina Pushaw, took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their outrage, accusing Democrats of welcoming illegal aliens into the country and ignoring the safety and well-being of American citizens.
This young American girl was killed by an illegal alien.
So, when we say that Americans are being replaced, we really mean it.
Democrats are welcoming illegal aliens into the country. They welcome the lawlessness.
Democrats do not care about us or they would secure the border.
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) February 25, 2024
The corporate media will blame a woman for exercising alone before blaming an illegal alien for killing her
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) February 25, 2024
The Associated Press wrote:
Riley’s death has once again put the spotlight on the dangers female runners face. Previously, the 2018 death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts while out jogging prompted an outpouring from other women who shared their tales of being harassed and followed.
Crime statistics indicate that these types of attacks are rare, but they underscore the hypervigilance women must take when going out, even for a run on campus.
According to a survey by athletic wear company Adidas last year, 92% of women reported feeling concerned for their safety with half afraid of being physically attacked. More than a third of women said they experienced physical or verbal harassment, including sexist comments and being followed.
The sentiment was echoed across the board, with commentators accusing the AP of engaging in “regime propaganda” and pushing leftist narratives that prioritize political correctness over the harsh realities of crime and illegal immigration.
What a garbage headline.
Laken Riley was murdered by an illegal alien who was afforded refuge in a sanctuary city.
That’s the story. The ONLY story.
But journalism is nothing but regime propaganda and leftist narratives.
— Adam Johnston (@ConquestTheory) February 25, 2024
The backlash against the AP’s reporting has extended beyond criticism, once again diving into the debate over immigration policies, sanctuary cities, and the failure of the current administration to secure the U.S. border effectively.
Many have argued these incidents are not isolated tragedies but rather symptomatic of a larger, systemic problem that poses a significant threat to public safety.
REACTIONS:
You described the killer as an "Athen's resident." Maybe try going bankrupt and never writing another article again. pic.twitter.com/mHunsnDDO3
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) February 25, 2024
Laken Riley was kįlled by an illegal alien from Venezuela.
This was completely preventable.
Shame on the Associated Press for trying to whitewash the story when the truth is this preventable tragedy happened because of the open US border.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 25, 2024
How about "The murder of a female student by an illegal alien released into the U.S. by Joe Biden, highlights the dangers all Americans face at the hands of foreign criminals."
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) February 25, 2024
Really? You want to try that again… maybe add something about illegal immigrants being released from sanctuary cities after they’ve been arrested only to go to a different state where they can commit more crime?
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) February 25, 2024
entire article is a disgrace
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) February 25, 2024