Venezuelan Migrant Accused of Killing College Student Was Released Twice Under Biden Administration
A Venezuelan migrant accused of murdering an 18-year-old college student in Chicago had been apprehended and released twice under the Biden administration's border policies, according to Department of Homeland Security officials. José Medina-Medina, who is now in custody for the killing, was first caught by US Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, but was released into the United States.
Timeline of Releases and Tragic Murder
Just over one month after his initial release, on June 19, 2023, Medina-Medina was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago but was once again released back into society. The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, when Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University, was walking with friends along Lake Michigan at approximately 1:30 am.
Medina-Medina allegedly approached the college student while wearing a mask and dressed entirely in black, then shot her in the head as she attempted to flee. Gorman was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her family and community devastated by the senseless violence.
Official Condemnation and Policy Criticism
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a strong statement condemning the tragedy. 'Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life,' Bis said. '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.'
Bis called on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other sanctuary politicians to ensure Medina-Medina remains in custody and is not released back into American neighborhoods. The Daily Mail has reached out to Pritzker's office for comment regarding the case and the broader immigration enforcement issues it highlights.
Victim's Background and Family Grief
Sheridan Gorman grew up in Yorktown Heights, New York, an upper-middle-class suburb in Westchester County, where she lived in a $1 million home with her parents until beginning college. She attended Yorktown High School, a highly rated public institution, before committing to Loyola University, a private Jesuit college on Chicago's north side.
Her parents, Thomas and Jessica Gorman, have flown to Chicago to collect their daughter's body. In a heartfelt statement, the family expressed their profound loss. 'Our beloved daughter, Sheridan, was taken from us this morning in Chicago. There is no way to soften this - this was murder. Sheridan was the light of our lives. She made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was.'
The family emphasized that Sheridan lived her faith with kindness, compassion, and joy, deeply loving her family and friends. They stated, 'We trusted that she would be safe. That trust was broken. Someone made a deliberate choice that stole our daughter and forever changed our family.' They are demanding answers and vow to continue fighting until justice is served.
Social Media Posts and Tragic Irony
Just days before her death, the vibrant college student posted a series of photos on social media enjoying St. Patrick's Day weekend with friends in Chicago, captioned 'Where's my kiss?' Earlier in March, she shared another post that now seems tragically ironic: 'Warmer days ahead!' while posing across the city with friends.
Sheridan frequently posted about her love for friends, family, and her strong faith in God, with a Bible verse from Corinthians, 'let all that you do be done in love,' featured prominently in her social media description. Her mother, Jessica, also active online, often expressed her patriotism, support for veterans, and dedication to protecting the American flag.
Random Nature of the Crime and National Comparisons
Chicago police have indicated that Gorman was likely not the intended target of the shooting. Alderman Maria Hadden, who has been in contact with investigators, noted that Sheridan was unfortunately 'at the wrong place at the wrong time.' This seemingly random act of violence has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases that have captured national attention.
The murder echoes the 2024 killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia. Riley was attacked and killed while jogging on campus, with her body found in a wooded area after she failed to return home. José Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant who entered the US illegally, was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Ibarra had been arrested twice before killing Riley—once in New York City for endangering a child and again in Georgia for shoplifting. In response, President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act nine days into his second term, which tightened immigration enforcement by mandating detention for illegal immigrants arrested for crimes such as theft, burglary, shoplifting, or assault on law enforcement.
The case of Sheridan Gorman underscores ongoing debates about immigration policies, public safety, and the consequences of release decisions for individuals with prior arrests. As the investigation continues, her family and community mourn the loss of a young woman described as a beacon of light and love, whose life was tragically cut short.
