The family of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student fatally shot on March 19 in the Rogers Park neighborhood, has called on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to take responsibility, rejecting their characterizations of the incident as a “senseless tragedy.”
Details of the Incident and Suspect Background
Sheridan Gorman was shot once while walking near a campus pier with friends at approximately 1:06 a.m. Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national and illegal immigrant, is accused of the shooting. U.S. authorities apprehended Medina-Medina on May 9, 2023, and subsequently released him into the U.S. under policies implemented by the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, Medina-Medina faced a separate arrest for shoplifting and was released before the fatal shooting.
Family’s Response and Political Reactions
The Gorman family released a statement criticizing Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker, stating that Sheridan’s death “demands accountability” and cannot be dismissed as just another tragic event. They emphasized the need for a clear and honest investigation into systemic failures that led to the incident and expressed frustration with shifting blame.
Governor Pritzker attributed part of the failure to national immigration policy, specifically criticizing the Trump administration for not enforcing stricter immigration controls. Mayor Johnson also criticized the Trump administration, focusing on the trafficking of illegal weapons from states with former President Trump’s support and calling for comprehensive immigration reform.
Calls for Accountability and Policy Review
The Gorman family urged officials to confront “hard truths” and ensure that Sheridan’s death is not reduced to political debate or generalized public safety rhetoric. They demanded identification and direct addressing of all failures involved in the case. The White House did not comment on the family’s statement but issued a defense of President Trump’s immigration policies as protective of American safety.
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