Jessica Gorman, mother of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, vowed to pursue justice following the fatal shooting of her daughter by an illegal immigrant near Loyola University Chicago. Sheridan, a freshman at Loyola, was killed on March 19 in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, prompting a vigil attended by family, friends, and community members in Yorktown Heights, New York.
Sheridan Gorman was shot around 1:06 a.m. while walking near a pier with friends. The suspect, Jose Medina-Medina, 25, a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. without legal authorization, allegedly fired the fatal shot. Authorities charged Medina-Medina with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He appeared in court on March 26 and was ordered held in custody.
Medina-Medina was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, but was released into the United States under policies implemented during the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
At the vigil, Gorman spoke emotionally about her grief and determination: “I’m completely heartbroken, and we are going to fight for justice for our sweet Sheridan, and we’re going to fight for change.” She emphasized parents’ shared desire to keep their children safe, stating that protecting all children remains paramount.
Thomas Tripodianos, the family’s attorney, warned against complacency regarding public safety. “If we accept this, even silently, then we are accepting a reality where young people are not as safe as they should be. And that is not acceptable,” he said, demanding “real justice.”
Friends and university representatives honored Sheridan’s memory. Steven Betancourt, director of campus ministry at Loyola University Chicago, said, “Sheridan, you are deeply loved at Loyola. You are deeply missed, and you will live on in the lives you touched and forever changed.”
The Gorman family criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, holding them accountable for policies they believe contributed to the circumstances leading to their daughter’s death. They highlighted that Sheridan was engaged in a normal activity—walking near her campus with friends—when the tragedy occurred.
Why it matters
The killing has renewed debate over sanctuary city policies and immigration enforcement in Chicago and Illinois. Critics argue that the release of Medina-Medina into the U.S. despite his prior apprehension exposes public safety risks. Supporters of stricter immigration controls see this case as evidence for policy reform to prevent similar incidents.
Background
Sheridan Gorman was a New York native attending Loyola University Chicago, nearing the end of her freshman year. The suspect, Medina-Medina, was first detained by U.S. Border Patrol in 2023 but was not held in custody afterward. His case exemplifies ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement practices and public safety concerns in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Read more US News stories on Goka World News.