Heartbroken parents of slain Loyola University student demand 'changes' after teen killed by illegal immigrant

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 05:15, 22 April 2026 | Updated: 05:18, 22 April 2026 The heartbroken parents of slain Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman have spoken out for the first time since their daughter was gunned down by an illegal immigrant. Sheridan, 18, was shot dead in the early hours of March 19 while walking with friends near Chicago's lakefront. Her death shattered her family and has once again ignited a debate over crime and immigration. 'I don't care what side of the aisle politically people are on, or is right in the middle like us. This can't happen. We've got to make changes,' her mother, Jessica Gorman, told CBS News. 'We all should be able to agree about the safety of our kids,' her father, Thomas, added. The freshman, who had recently arrived in Chicago from Yorktown, New York, was out with friends near the lakefront around 1:30am when a masked gunman approached the group and opened fire.  Sheridan was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have said the shooting appears to have been random - a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a teenager described by her family as 'the light of our lives.'  The suspect, José Medina, 25, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested days later and charged with first-degree murder and other felonies. Authorities say he first entered the United States in 2023.  Sheridan Gorman's parents, Thomas and Jessica Gorman, said their grief remains overwhelming as they continue to process the sudden loss of their 18-year-old daughter Sheridan Gorman, 18, was struck in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene while walking with friends near Chicago's lakefront last month José Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan man who illegally entered the country in May 2023, is now facing felony charges of first-degree murder and aggravated use of a firearm Records show Medina had previously been arrested in Chicago on a theft charge and released on bond.  He later failed to appear in court, prompting a warrant for his arrest, but remained free until Sheridan was killed. He is now being held in Cook County jail without bond. In court filings, Assistant Public Defender Julie Koehler described the case as 'a tragedy,' adding that Medina had suffered a gunshot wound to the head as a teenager and has 'the mental capacity of a child.' For Sheridan's parents, the focus is not just on the man accused of pulling the trigger - but on what they say are broader systemic failures. Asked what accountability would look like, mom, Jessica said, 'I don't think we know yet.' 'There's definitely policies that contributed to this happening, and we can't save Sheridan,' her father added. 'But we can't just not do anything.' EXCLUSIVE: The parents of Sheridan Gorman, the Loyola University student shot and killed in Chicago, are speaking out about their anger and calling for change. “This can’t happen. We’ve got to make changes,” they tell CBS News’ @CBSMATTGUTMAN. More tomorrow on @CBSMornings. pic.twitter.com/wxQp7DO2I8 Mother, Jessica Gorman, said the tragedy should transcend politics, insisting 'this can't happen' and urging change Father, Thomas Gorman, said all sides should be able to agree on protecting children and preventing similar violence Gorman's family has said they are upset about the policies that allowed Medina to remain in the country. Sheridan is pictured with her mother Jessica Gorman It remains unclear why Medina may have opened fire on the college freshman 'Sheridan was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together,' the family said in an earlier statement.  'We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice.' They have described her as someone who 'made people feel seen, safe and loved,' and said the trust they had in her safety was shattered. The killing has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump who took the opportunity to publicly blame former President Joe Biden's immigration policies for allowing Medina to remain in the country. 'A precious 18-year-old college student named Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed while walking in a park, innocently,' Trump said during remarks last month at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner. President Donald Trump blamed his predecessor's open border policies for the death of a Chicago college student during his speech at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner last month Gorman's death was also brought up several times during White House press conferences Sheridan Gorman (second right) is pictured smiling in happier times with her friends in Florida last summer The 18-year-old college freshman was fatally shot while walking with her friends near the pier at Loyola Beach 'The illegal alien monster charged with Sheridan's murder had come illegally from Venezuela and had been released into our country by Sleepy Joe Biden,' he continued, while also criticizing Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago's sanctuary city policies. Trump later called the killing 'devastating'. 'These people were let in by Biden… We're getting them out fast,' he promised. Officials in Illinois have pushed back, with Governor Pritzker describing the case as a 'terrible tragedy' while arguing that failures extend beyond the state and reflect broader national issues, including the lack of comprehensive immigration reform. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also criticized federal enforcement priorities, saying they do not reflect public safety realities. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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