Joe Abraham, whose 20-year-old daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant in Illinois, has issued a stark warning that more innocent people will die unless immigration policies change following the death of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman.
Gorman, 18, was fatally shot on March 19 at a pier in Rogers Park, Chicago, while with friends. The suspect, Jose Medina-Medina, 25, a Venezuelan national, entered the U.S. illegally in 2023, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Medina-Medina had been apprehended and released by federal authorities prior to the shooting.
Prosecutors revealed that Gorman spotted Medina-Medina hiding behind a lighthouse and warned her friends. Medina-Medina then chased the group and fired a gunshot that struck Gorman in the upper back. Authorities described the shooting as an apparent ambush, noting Medina-Medina wore a face covering during the incident.
In a related case, Joe Abraham’s daughter Katie, also 20, was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Urbana, Illinois, in January 2025. The driver, Julio Cucul-Bol, an illegal immigrant, fled the scene and was later sentenced to 30 years in prison. Abraham cited both deaths as examples of the consequences of Illinois’ current immigration policies.
Abraham condemned the state’s immigration framework as “reckless, radical, and extreme,” emphasizing the lack of balance and consideration for public safety. He described his daughter Katie as a vibrant and compassionate person whose life was cut short by a violent act committed by someone who “shouldn’t be here.”
Similarly, Sheridan Gorman was remembered in her obituary as a kind, loving individual whose personality “radiated warmth” and “made the ordinary moments feel extraordinary.”
DHS confirmed Medina-Medina had a prior arrest for shoplifting and was released before the shooting. Additionally, a police source noted Medina-Medina’s “distinct limp and gait,” identifying him as the suspect after the shooting.
Why it matters
The deaths of Sheridan Gorman and Katie Abraham have fueled criticism of Illinois’ immigration policies, highlighting concerns about public safety and law enforcement’s ability to manage illegal immigrant offenders. Advocates for policy reform argue these cases expose gaps in monitoring and detainment procedures for individuals apprehended after entering the U.S. without authorization.
Background
Illinois has enacted relatively lenient immigration policies in recent years, including protections that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Critics assert these policies hinder authorities from detaining or removing individuals who may pose risks, while supporters emphasize humanitarian and community trust factors. These two high-profile fatal incidents have intensified debates over how immigration enforcement should be balanced against public safety and civil rights.
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