Mother of slain Loyola student Sheridan Gorman vows to ‘fight for justice’ at vigil
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The mother of slain college student Sheridan Gorman is speaking out, vowing to “fight for justice” after the 18-year-old was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant earlier this month in Chicago.
Jessica Gorman delivered an emotional speech Saturday at a vigil in Yorktown Heights, New York, honoring her daughter – a Loyola University Chicago junior whose life was cut short in what authorities described as a sudden, violent attack.
“I want to say this gently, but the truth is, as a mom, I’m angry,” Jessica Gorman said. “I feel absolutely devastated, and we will fight for justice for our beloved Sheridan, and we will fight for change.”
Although she acknowledged that “not everyone” will see the situation the same way, Jessica Gorman stressed what she described as a common reality that parents experience.
WATCH: SENATE HEARING SILENT AFTER ANGEL FATHER MEET TOP DEM OVER DAUGHTER’S DEATH
Jessica Gorman delivered an emotional speech at a vigil in Yorktown Heights, New York, on Saturday. (Fox News)
“At the heart of it all, we all want the same thing for your children and ours to be safe, protected, and back home,” Jessica Gorman said. “Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about. All of our kids, every single one of them, protecting themselves, loving themselves, showing up. And that’s how we respect him.”
Sheridan Gorman, a native of New York, was killed around 01:06 in the morning on March 19 with his friends near a fishing pier in the Chicago area of Rogers Park.
Officials say Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly shot and killed a Loyola University student in Chicago.
It was reported that Gorman was only a few months away from completing his first year.
MURDER IN CHICAGO RETURNS HOLY CITY WAR AS ANGEL HEADS OF PARENTS TO CRY
Sheridan Gorman was said to be just a few months away from completing his freshman year at Loyola University Chicago. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
Medina-Medina was previously arrested by the US Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released to the US under the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
At this vigil, the family’s lawyer, Thomas Tripodianos, warned of what he described as an increase in restraint on public safety.
“If we accept this, even in peace, then we accept the fact that young people are not as safe as they should be. And that is not acceptable,” said Tripodianos. “And there must be justice. Real justice.”
Family members and friends also shared memories of Sheridan, recalling his impact on those around him.
“Sheridan, you are very popular at Loyola,” said Steven Betancourt, director of campus services at Loyola University Chicago. “You are greatly missed, and will live on in the lives you touched and changed forever.”
ANGEL PARENTS CLAIM ILLINOIS BOOK LAWS AFTER ‘AVOIDABLE’ STUDENT’S DEATH.
Seridan Gorman, left, was allegedly killed by Jose Medina-Medina. (Sheridan Gorman/Instagram and Cook County Sheriff’s Office)
The Gorman family has lashed out at Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, saying their daughter’s death “requires accountability.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“He was doing a normal thing – walking around his campus with friends. He should be here,” the Gorman family said of Johnson’s comments.
The suspect appeared in court on Friday and was ordered to be taken into custody, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
He faces many charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and possession of an illegal firearm.
Adam Sabes of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
