Sheridan Gorman's Mom Refuses to Address Daughter's Alleged Killer

The mother of slain Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman said her family will not be speaking about the suspect charged in connection with her daughter’s death as they focus on her burial. Gorman, 18, was fatally shot on March 19 around 1 a.m. near Chicago’s Tobey Prinz Beach, where she and friends from school had gone to try to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, according to police. The suspect, José Medina-Medina, a 23-year-old Venezuelan national, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, as well as additional counts including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated discharge of a firearm, Chicago police said.

Police have indicated that Gorman was not believed to be the intended target of the shooting. Gorman’s mother, Jessica, said the family’s attention this week is on mourning and burying their daughter.

“We are really focusing this week specifically on burying our daughter. We are really focusing on the beauty of her life,” Jessica told the New York Post.

“We are not addressing this man.”

“We decided this week we are only going to focus on Sheridan and celebrating our beauty.”

“When they say that your heart is broken or it feels like it’s ripped out of your chest, it’s real,” Jessica told the outlet.

“It’s so real, I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone.” The case has drawn scrutiny from community members and local leaders, who have raised questions about how law enforcement and immigration authorities handled Medina-Medina prior to the shooting. What To Know Medina-Medina was arrested shortly after the shooting but did not attend his scheduled pretrial detention hearing on Monday because he was receiving medical treatment at a local hospital for tuberculosis, prompting the court to postpone the proceeding, ABC 7 reported.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an ICE detainer for Medina-Medina, requesting that federal authorities take him into custody to begin deportation proceedings. Gorman, originally from New York, had been pursuing a business degree and was active in campus life. Her death prompted vigils and memorials, as classmates, faculty, and neighbors expressed shock and grief.

Medina-Medina was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released into the United States, according to DHS. He was later taken into custody again in Chicago on June 19, 2023, following a separate shoplifting arrest, and was subsequently released, the agency said. Court records show that Medina-Medina had a prior misdemeanor charge for shoplifting at the Macy’s on State Street in Chicago.

A judge issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court, which remained active as of late 2023, according to CWB Chicago. Chicago is considered a sanctuary city, meaning local authorities generally limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Republicans have criticized such policies, arguing they undermine public safety, while Democrats support them and say they build trust between residents and local police.

What People Are Saying Sheridan Gorman's family said in a statement: "

What Sheridan was doing that night—walking with friends near her campus—was normal. It was safe. It is what students do every day.

We will not allow this to be dismissed as 'wrong place, wrong time.' This was not random misfortune. This was a violent and preventable act.

We are gravely disappointed by the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday: "

It's devastating. These people were let in by Biden. We're getting them out...

That's why ICE is so important." Lauren Bis, a spokesperson at DHS, said in a statement: “Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life. She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who released this illegal alien twice before he went on to commit this heinous murder.”

“We are calling on Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.” A spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told Newsweek: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and Loyola University community grieving the senseless murder of Sheridan Gorman. Violent crime has no place in our streets, and we expect the alleged perpetrator to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

The Trump Administration needs to stop politicizing heinous tragedies and instead focus on real solutions, like reinstating federal funds to prevent violence that support our public safety efforts." Jessica Gorman told the New York Post: “When they say that your heart is broken or it feels like it’s ripped out of your chest, it’s real...

It’s so real, I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone.” Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat, told the New York Post: “This young girl’s blood is on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s hands." Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza told ABC 7: "

This person has to held accountable to the highest extent of the law, which in his case, because he is here illegally, would require him, at some point, to be deported, either to fulfill his sentence or after fulfilling his sentence." What Happens Next Medina is scheduled to return to court on Friday morning, pending doctors' approval for his release from the hospital, according to ABC 7.

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