Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office issued a statement Monday following the killing of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old from Yorktown Heights, New York, who was shot along Lake Michigan while observing the aurora borealis.
Governor JB Pritzker posted this video of the Chicago lakeside to brag how safe it is
Sheridan Gorman was just kiIIed there by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant his state law PROTECTED pic.twitter.com/ONqT36R0Tx
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 22, 2026
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The suspect, identified as Venezuelan national Jose Medina-Medina, has been charged in connection with the incident.
Gorman’s death drew widespread attention and reaction after details of the case became public.
The governor’s office had not responded to inquiries from the Chicago Sun-Times as late as 11 p.m. CT Sunday, before releasing a statement the following day to Fox News Digital.
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“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and Loyola University community grieving the senseless murder of Sheridan Gorman,” Pritzker’s office said.
“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 statement also addressed criticism directed at President Donald Trump, stating: “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.”
Pritzker did not respond to a follow-up question regarding whether he would direct Illinois authorities to comply with the Laken Riley Act in cases involving illegal immigrants, including Medina-Medina.
The law, drafted by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and signed by President Trump, requires that an illegal immigrant be held for federal transfer even if the individual is only accused of a crime and not yet convicted.
Medina-Medina is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a weapon, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of the shooting beyond confirming the charges.
The case has drawn attention to Illinois’ existing policies governing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Chicago operates as a sanctuary jurisdiction, and the state enforces the TRUST Act, which was passed by the Democratic-majority legislature in Springfield and signed into law by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Under the TRUST Act, state and local authorities are restricted from holding a suspect for federal immigration transfer beyond their scheduled release date unless presented with a federal criminal warrant.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer for Medina-Medina over the weekend.
The detainer requests that local authorities notify federal officials before releasing an individual so that custody can be transferred.
However, under current Illinois law, the detainer alone does not authorize extended detention without a federal warrant.
The case has also brought renewed focus to Medina-Medina’s prior interactions with law enforcement.
He was previously arrested for shoplifting several years ago, a detail that has been cited in discussions surrounding the enforcement of federal immigration policies.
Medina-Medina was scheduled to appear in court Monday for a detention hearing.
The proceeding was postponed after officials indicated he was being quarantined. According to Chicago police sources who spoke to Fox News, there is a possibility that Medina-Medina may have tuberculosis, which led to the delay.
