A grieving family is now battling Chicago’s mayor after their college freshman daughter was gunned down by an illegal immigrant who should have been deported, yet Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first concern was protecting the city’s reputation rather than acknowledging their devastating loss.
Story at a Glance
- Sheridan Gorman’s family slams Mayor Brandon Johnson for tone-deaf statement saying the murder shouldn’t stop parents from sending kids to Chicago colleges
- Venezuelan illegal immigrant Jose Medina charged with murdering the 18-year-old Loyola freshman after being released despite prior arrest and missed court appearance
- Johnson admits he hasn’t contacted the grieving family yet, waiting for an “appropriate time” while defending sanctuary policies
- DHS confirms Medina entered illegally in 2023 and was released, calling his freedom a system failure that cost an innocent life
Family Outrage Over Mayor’s Callous Response
Tom and Jessica Gorman issued a blistering statement condemning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s remarks after their 18-year-old daughter Sheridan was shot in the back while walking with friends near Loyola University Chicago’s Rogers Park campus. Johnson told reporters the “violent and preventable” murder shouldn’t deter parents from enrolling children in city colleges, prioritizing Chicago’s image over the family’s grief. The Gormans called the killing entirely avoidable, pointing to sanctuary policies that shielded suspect Jose Medina from deportation despite an outstanding arrest warrant. Johnson admitted he planned to contact the family later, awaiting an “appropriate time,” a delay critics view as political calculation.
Suspect’s Criminal History Exposes Border Failures
Jose Medina, a 25-year-old undocumented Venezuelan national, entered the United States illegally in 2023, was apprehended by Border Patrol, and released under Biden-era policies. Chicago police arrested him months later for retail theft at a Macy’s store, but he skipped his court appearance, triggering a warrant. Sanctuary city rules prevented local authorities from notifying federal immigration enforcement, allowing Medina to remain free in Rogers Park. Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed Medina “should not have been free,” citing the 2023 releases as catastrophic errors. Surveillance footage using facial recognition technology matched Medina to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol records, linking him to the ambush shooting.
Echoes of Laken Riley Tragedy
Sheridan Gorman’s murder mirrors the 2024 killing of Laken Riley, another young woman slain by an illegal immigrant released despite prior arrests, igniting national outrage over sanctuary policies. Both cases highlight how local non-cooperation with federal immigration holds enables violent criminals to roam communities unchecked. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Democratic immigration policies as designed to produce such tragedies, while President Trump called Gorman’s death “devastating” and blamed open-border advocates. Governor JB Pritzker acknowledged “real failures in the immigration system” but drew criticism for allegedly ignoring a letter from the Gorman family and taking swipes at Trump during his remarks, actions conservatives label as politicizing grief.
Delayed Justice and Unanswered Questions
Medina faces six felony charges: first-degree murder, attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. His pretrial detention hearing was postponed because he is receiving tuberculosis treatment at Illinois Masonic Hospital, with a rescheduled court appearance set for teleconference. Police recovered a 40-caliber handgun and clothing matching surveillance evidence from his apartment two blocks from the crime scene, and gunshot residue tests remain pending. DHS requested a deportation hold following criminal proceedings, but sanctuary policies complicate enforcement. The case underscores fears among Loyola parents and students about urban campus safety, with critics arguing that Johnson’s defensive posture prioritizes ideology over accountability for policies that cost Sheridan Gorman her life.
Mainstream outlets like CNN and MSNBC faced accusations of avoiding coverage to suppress stories damaging to Democratic immigration narratives, while conservative media spotlighted the family’s frustration and systemic breakdowns. The Gormans view Medina’s arrest as merely a “first step towards justice,” demanding broader reforms to prevent sanctuary cities from becoming safe havens for criminal aliens. Their call resonates with Americans fed up with policies that sacrifice public safety for political posturing, exposing how leftist agendas endanger innocent lives across the nation.
Sources:
Fox News Video Coverage – Fox News
