The family of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman fatally shot by an illegal alien, has voiced strong criticism against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s insensitive remarks regarding her murder.
They firmly dismissed the notion of framing the incident as just a ‘senseless tragedy’ or attributing the blame to broader immigration issues. Instead, they insist on accountability for the systemic failures that permitted the alleged assailant to remain at large in Chicago.
“Sheridan was our daughter. She was only 18, simply walking with friends near her campus. She deserved to be safe,” the family stated strongly on Wednesday.
They emphasized that referring to her death as ‘senseless’ is an inadequate response. The family called for a thorough examination of the failures that enabled such a tragedy, insisting that Sheridan’s life does not just become a talking point in a broader discussion of public safety.
The family confronted Pritzker for attempting to politicize the tragedy, where he shifted blame onto former President Donald Trump while advocating for “comprehensive immigration reform,” inclusive of amnesty for illegal immigrants. They argued, “Sheridan’s death cannot be trivialized into generalities,” demanding specific accountability.
They voiced their disinterest in political blame games, urging that if failures have occurred, they must be clearly identified and rectified. “We are disappointed with the failures that permitted this crime. When systems break down, the repercussions are profound and lasting,” they stated.
Gorman was tragically killed around 1 a.m. on March 19, while she was walking near the lakefront close to Loyola’s Rogers Park campus.
Prosecutors revealed that 25-year-old Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national residing illegally in the U.S., emerged from concealment and shot at the group, ultimately taking Gorman’s life.
Medina’s immigration situation has since been under heavy scrutiny. He was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection earlier in May 2023 but was released under the current administration’s “catch and release” policies. Following a shoplifting incident a month later, he was freed again by local authorities.
Despite an ICE detainer being issued, he failed to appear in court, leaving an active warrant. Chicago’s Welcoming City ordinance and Illinois’ TRUST Act further complicate local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
