Johnson says Loyola student murder shouldn't stop parents from sending kids to college in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker admitted on Tuesday there were real failures in the immigration system that led up to last week's fatal shooting of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman.

But Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says this incident should not discourage parents from sending their kids to college in the city.

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Gorman's family has criticized the system that allowed the suspect in her death to remain in the country. As they wait for justice, the mayor and governor offered their condolences.

Pritzker called the murder of 18-year-old Gorman a terrible tragedy. He has not spoken to her parents but says he can only imagine their pain.

"I agree there have been real failures. Those failures, of course, extend beyond the borders of Illinois. That's their national failures, a failure to have comprehensive immigration reform," Pritzker said.

Last Thursday, Gorman had gone with friends to the pier near Tobey Prinz Beach.

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Prosecutors say that's when they came upon Jose Medina, dressed in all black with a black mask. He is accused of shooting at them as they ran. Gorman was hit in the back and died.

Johnson said he is waiting for a more appropriate time to reach out to Gorman's parents. But as a father, he can understand their heartbreak.

"You automatically think about your own children. You just do. And there's no words that one could express that could properly console a family that lost their baby," Johnson said.

Medina, a Venezuelan national, came to the U.S. illegally three years ago, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

He was arrested for shoplifting at Macy's on State Street in 2023. He never showed up for court after being released on bond, and an arrest warrant was issued.

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Johnson related to the Gorman family's grief and safety concerns as he prepares for his oldest son to head off to college next fall.

"I've worked hard to reduce it, and for this particular family, that hard work did not result in their child still being here," Johnson said.

Bill Morton, the president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, believes the shooting is an isolated incident that should not scare parents off from sending their kids to college in Chicago.

"You should come to Chicago. We have great universities in Chicago, including Loyola University. Everybody was having the time of their lives until this happened," Morton said.

Some Republican lawmakers in Springfield are now calling for immigration reform. In the meantime, the suspect remains in the hospital. He is scheduled to return to court on Friday.