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The grieving mother of a Washington, D.C. congressional intern who was tragically killed has reached out with a heartfelt message to the family of Sheridan Gorman via the student’s obituary, urging them to “fight back” in this difficult time.
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old student at Loyola University Chicago, was fatally shot on March 19 while at a pier near her campus in the Rogers Park neighborhood. The suspect, 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, was reportedly in the U.S. illegally, having entered the country on May 9, 2023. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he was detained and subsequently released under the Biden administration.
Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym, who tragically lost her 21-year-old son, Eric, during a gang-related shooting in Washington, D.C. on June 30, 2025, penned a poignant tribute to Gorman’s family following the young woman’s untimely death.
“My sincerest condolences to the family. My family and I understand the pain you are enduring, as we faced the same heartbreak on July 1, 2025, when we lost our innocent 21-year-old son,” Tarpinian-Jachym expressed. “I pray for all of you. This is the greatest pain any family can endure, and know that your family is in my prayers, along with all other families who have faced similar tragedies.”
The message from Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym was shared with Fox News Digital, highlighting the connection between her son Eric’s tragic death and that of Sheridan Gorman, as both families navigate the profound loss of their loved ones.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Tarpinian-Jachym said she was “disgusted” upon learning about Gorman’s death.
“I cried. I was angered. I was disgusted. This is an ongoing issue in Chicago and a lot of these cities that should have never happened,” she said. “I was just really angered at that and, um, angered that there are no people in elected positions in these cities, in states. They just don’t care. They don’t about us, the victims, and the lifelong trauma this has on a family.”
Tarpinian-Jachym’s son, Eric, was killed in a drive-by shooting when several individuals exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a group of people, which included the congressional intern. He wasn’t the intended target, police said.
Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national, was also arrested for shoplifting and released before the alleged murder, DHS confirmed. (DHS)
“They need to fight. And I think parents of victims. We need to band together, all together,” Tarpinian-Jachym said. “My heart goes out to the Gormans. I understand what they’re going through.”Â
Tarpinian-Jachym also said she thinks leadership in Chicago and Illinois need to be held responsible.
Sheridan Gorman smiles alongside the Chicago skyline in Illinois. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
“The people in charge in Chicago should be held responsible for this. You know, I think the governor, the mayor, it’s disgusting what they’ve been saying for the last year. It really, it’s heart-wrenching to me that all these people are getting murdered,” she said.
Medina-Medina is expected in court Friday morning.
Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman poses with the school’s mascot during a campus event in an undated photo. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
Gorman, who attended Yorktown High School in Yorktown Heights, New York, was described in an obituary as someone who “had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and believed in.” While in high school, Gorman participated in field hockey, lacrosse and bowling “among many other activities.”
“People often say someone ‘lit up a room’ or had ‘inner and outer beauty,’ but in Sheridan’s case, those phrases fall way too short. She radiated something even greater—a rare and unmistakable warmth, a spirit that was vibrant, compassionate, and full of life. She was funny, kind, and deeply loving, with a heart that made space for everyone,” her obituary states. “She loved fiercely—her family, her friends, her community, and her faith. She brought people together, lifted them up, and made the ordinary moments feel extraordinary simply by being in them.”
Sheridan Gorman was killed after being shot in the head while taking a walk with friends at Tobey Prinz Beach, located less than a mile from the Illinois’ campus, around 1 a.m. on Thursday, March 19. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to DHS.
Following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago, Medina was released on June 19, 2023, DHS said.
He was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, three felony counts of aggravated assault with discharge of firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Chicago Police Department.
At the time of his June 2023 arrest, Medina-Medina told officials he was living at Leone Beach Park fieldhouse in Rogers Park in 2023, which was being used as a city-sponsored shelter for migrants.