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During a news conference on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reaffirmed recent remarks that have stirred controversy following the tragic death of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University Chicago student.
At a “No Kings” rally held in Chicago on Saturday, Mayor Johnson emphasized the need to protect immigrants from assaults, a statement that coincided with the day of Gorman’s funeral. This timing drew sharp criticism from some quarters. The individual accused of her murder, Jose Medina-Medina, is a 25-year-old undocumented immigrant from Colombia.
“We must put an end to the assaults on immigrants,” Johnson declared to those gathered at the rally. “We need to engage actively. First and foremost, we must ensure our involvement in the democratic process. Shifts in elections are happening across the nation, indicating change. We have also signed multiple executive orders to remove ICE from the city of Chicago.”
Sheridan Gorman lost her life after being shot in the head while she was out walking with friends at Tobey Prinz Beach, a location less than a mile from the university’s campus. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, according to reports.
When questioned by a reporter on Tuesday about whether he would extend an apology to Gorman’s family, Mayor Johnson sidestepped the inquiry.
“I will again acknowledge the tragedy of the loss of life here,” Johnson said. “You know, look, burying a child is something that no parent should have to do, especially as someone who is a parent. The tragedy that occurred is one that, quite frankly — it challenges us to do better to ensure that we are protecting people — and you know, as far as the call for no kings, what I said, and I still stand by this, that we do have to protect working people. We do have to ensure that the immigrant community is not being assaulted.”
“Violating people’s Constitutional rights does not make us safer,” the mayor continued.
A man carries a framed collage of photos outside a funeral service for Sheridan Gorman at First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, in Yorktown Heights, New York. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)
He was asked the same question in a news conference last week, and also answered indirectly.
“Will you take this opportunity to apologize to Sheridan’s parents for the policies that you have promoted, that have directly caused her death? That suspect would not be in the city, would not be in the country, but for your policies. Will you take this opportunity to apologize?” a reporter asked.
“Once again, I believe that we’re all grieving the loss of Sheridan and other folks who have lost their lives because of senseless violence,” Johnson responded. “And let’s just be very clear, between the SAFE-T Act and the welcoming city ordinance, the welcoming city ordinance was passed 40 years ago by the first Black mayor in the history of Chicago, and the SAFE-T Act was passed under the governor at that time, who was a Republican.”
Medina-Medina is accused by prosecutors of hiding behind a lighthouse before running toward Gorman and her friends, firing his weapon indiscriminately. The alleged murder took place in the early morning hours of March 19.
A program handed out to supporters of the Gorman family who attended a Memorial Vigil held in Yorktown, NY. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)
The illegal alien suspect has been charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, aggravated discharge of a firearm and illegal possession of a weapon.
Medina-Medina entered the country illegally under the Biden administration and was released into the country, DHS said.
Medina-Medina was arrested in 2023 and charged with shoplifting after he allegedly stole just over $130 in merchandise from a Macy’s in downtown Chicago. He failed to appear for court hearings related to that case, and an arrest warrant remained active until the alleged murder.
Gorman’s family ripped Johnson for his initial response to her alleged murder.Â
“What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to a ‘senseless tragedy,’ nor can it be explained in general terms about public safety. Sheridan was our daughter. She was 18 years old. She was doing something entirely normal—walking near her campus with friends. She should be here,” the family said.Â
Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference at Chicago City Hall on Feb. 25, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“Calling this ‘senseless’ is not enough. There must be a clear and honest accounting of what went wrong,” the family added. “We will not allow Sheridan’s life to be reduced to a talking point or a generalization. We expect leadership that is willing to confront hard truths and ensure that what happened to her does not happen again.”
The suspect’s lawyer says that after crossing the border illegally, he was bused from Texas to Chicago, despite requesting to be sent home to Columbia, according to The Chicago Tribune. The governor’s office reportedly said they have no record of busing Medina-Medina anywhere.
Johnson’s office declined to comment.