The College Republicans of America is speaking out over the recent murder of an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student allegedly at the hands of an illegal alien with a criminal past.

The victim is Sheridan Gorman, who was shot and killed Thursday morning around 1:00 a.m. as she walked in a park with friends in Chicago. Her sister is Madelon Gorman, publicity chair for the Vanderbilt College Republicans.

“We are disgusted and horrified to learn of the murder of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman, the sister of one of our own College Republican leaders, Madelon Gorman of Vanderbilt. We enter yet another day of continued headlines detailing horrendous atrocities committed by illegal aliens against young America — but this one is too personal for us to not speak out,” stated Martin Bertao, president of the College Republicans of America, in a statement Monday.

“Failures in our justice and immigration system are solely to blame for these murderous animals walking the streets of America. No state is safe because of this agenda. No young American is safe.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer asking sanctuary politicians in Chicago not to release the suspect, Jose Medina-Medina, the Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday.

“Medina-Medina is accused of approaching her while wearing a mask and armed with a gun. As she attempted to flee, he fired his gun and shot her. Gorman was shot and pronounced dead at the scene,” the department stated.

The department noted the suspect has been released several times in the past: “On May 9, 2023, Medina-Medina was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden administration. He was then released again on June 19, 2023, following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago, Illinois.”

Bertao called on Democrats to stop holding “Americans hostage under the DHS shutdown, all in an attempt to stop ICE — the very heroes who President Trump has deployed to end the heinous violence we just witnessed.”

He also asked the College Republicans community to donate to Sheridan’s GoFundMe page.

The Vanderbilt College Republicans also put out a statement in honor of the Gorman family.

“Sheridan’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder that no one should suffer as a result of the consequences of illegal immigration. We remain committed to supporting the law enforcement officials and policies that protect families from enduring such tragedies,” the statement read.

The case has prompted national controversy, with one Chicago alderwoman saying Sheridan was just in the “wrong place at the wrong time.”

NBC New published a statement from the Gorman family condemning such comments and flagging concern over Medina-Medina’s criminal past:

In a statement, Gorman’s family rejected any suggestion that the teen’s actions contributed to what occurred.

“We acknowledge the arrest of the individual accused of taking our daughter’s life and thank the Chicago Police Department, Area Three Detectives, and all those involved in the investigation who worked quickly to identify and apprehend him. Their efforts matter. But this is not justice—it is the first step toward it,” the statement read in part. “What Sheridan was doing that night—walking with friends near her campus—was normal. It was safe. It is what students do every day. We will not allow this to be dismissed as ‘wrong place, wrong time.’ This was not random misfortune. This was a violent and preventable act.”

The family also addressed information released by federal authorities regarding the accused’s prior encounters with the system.

“We are gravely disappointed by the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime. When systems fail—whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act—the consequences are not abstract. They are real. And in our case, they are permanent.,” the statement continued.

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