A Democratic leader in Chicago is calling for stricter gun control measures following the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old student by a man who had been released from jail twice despite being in the country illegally.
The suspect, identified by authorities as a Venezuelan national, had prior encounters with law enforcement, including a shoplifting arrest, but remained free before the deadly incident near Tobey Prinz Beach Park.
A young American life ended in violence on a Chicago street, sparking fresh debate over immigration rules and public safety.
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old freshman at Loyola University, was walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach Park in the early hours of March 19 when she was shot and killed.
As reported by The Gateway Pundit on Tuesday, March 24th, police say the gunman approached the group and fired, striking Gorman in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jose Medina, a 25-year-old man from Venezuela, faces charges of first-degree murder and other gun-related crimes in connection with the shooting. Federal officials report that Medina entered the United States illegally.
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He was caught at the border in May 2023 and released into the country. About a month later, Chicago police arrested him for shoplifting. He was released again after that arrest. A warrant was later issued when he failed to appear in court for the shoplifting case, but he remained free until the shooting.
The case has drawn attention to Chicago’s policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration officers. Immigration authorities have now placed a hold on Medina, asking local officials not to release him if he makes bail.
They say he should have been removed from the country earlier. Supporters of stricter border controls argue that repeated releases allowed a person who was not supposed to be in the United States to remain and allegedly commit a serious crime.
In the days after the shooting, some Democratic voices in Chicago called for stronger measures on guns rather than changes to immigration enforcement.
Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden faced criticism for comments that appeared to shift focus away from the suspect’s background and toward gun availability. Other local leaders have echoed similar points, urging tighter restrictions on firearms as the main response to prevent future violence.
On national television, a sharp exchange highlighted the divide. During a segment on NewsNation, conservative commentator Katie Pavlich pressed liberal strategist Chris Hahn on the case.
Pavlich asked why someone with a criminal record who entered the country illegally was not deported after the shoplifting arrest.
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Hahn responded that it is difficult to predict who will commit violent crimes and pointed to studies suggesting immigrants overall have lower crime rates than native-born Americans.
He said the focus should remain on gun control because “too many guns” make such tragedies possible.
Pavlich countered that the man should not have been in the United States in the first place. She noted that Chicago’s tough gun laws did not stop the shooting, and argued that enforcing immigration rules, starting with deportation after even minor crimes by people without legal status, would prevent similar incidents.
Hahn acknowledged that violent criminals who are in the country illegally should be deported, but continued to steer the discussion toward broader gun restrictions and away from immigration policy.
The family of Sheridan Gorman released a statement expressing deep sorrow. They described her as a young woman with her whole future ahead, education, friends, and family plans, all taken away in a single moment.
Loyola University offered counseling to students and staff and said the campus community is mourning the loss.
