The parents of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman who was shot and killed in March, allegedly by a suspect in the United States illegally, are speaking publicly for the first time, calling for accountability and changes they say could help prevent similar tragedies.
In an interview with CBS News, Sheridan Gorman's mother, Jessica Gorman, said the case should transcend politics.
"I don't care what side of the aisle politically people are on, or [if they are] right in the middle like us. This can't happen. We've got to make changes," she said.
Sheridan Gorman's father, Thomas Gorman, emphasized the broader concerns about public safety.
"We all should be able to agree about the safety of our kids," he said.
Sheridan Gorman was walking with friends near Chicago’s lakefront about 1:30 a.m. March 19 when a masked gunman approached and opened fire, killing her at the scene, police said.
Investigators said the attack appears to have been random. Authorities later arrested Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national who entered the United States in 2023 and is in the country illegally.
Medina is being held in the Cook County Jail without bond and faces first-degree murder and other charges.
Records show he was charged with theft in Chicago in 2023, was released on bond, and failed to appear in court, prompting a warrant for his arrest.
Asked what accountability would look like, Jessica Gorman said, "I don't think we know yet."
Thomas Gorman added that policy failures may have played a role.
"There's definitely policies that, that contributed to this happening, and we can't save Sheridan," he said. "But we can't just not do anything."
Assistant Public Defender Julie Koehler, representing Medina, described the case as "a tragedy" and said the suspect suffered a prior head injury and has "the mental capacity of a child."
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