The heartbreaking death of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman has left a family grieving, a community searching for answers, and a nation once again debating the consequences of immigration and border policy.
Sheridan was just 18 years old. She was spending time with friends at Rogers Park Beach in Chicago back in March when her life was suddenly cut short. According to reports, prosecutors allege that 25-year-old Jose Medina emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire, striking Sheridan in the neck and killing her. Medina has been identified in reports as a Venezuelan national who allegedly entered the United States illegally in 2023.
It is the kind of story that immediately grabs attention because of how tragic and avoidable it appears. A young woman with her entire future ahead of her is gone, and her family is left trying to make sense of something that can never truly be explained away.
In the midst of that grief, Sheridan’s family revealed something about a recent conversation they had with President Donald Trump that caught many people off guard.
During an interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, Sheridan’s mother, Jessica Gorman, described a phone call from Trump that she said focused entirely on compassion rather than politics.
“President Trump called us, and despite what people might think, he did not say one thing political,” Gorman said. “He just basically held us. His whole team calling out, wonderful supportive things.”
She went on to describe the conversation in personal terms, saying, “He spoke to us as a father and grandfather.”
That detail stands out because Trump is often viewed through a political lens no matter what he does. Supporters and critics alike tend to interpret nearly every public action as part of a broader political strategy. According to the Gorman family, however, that was not what they experienced during this conversation.
BEAUTIFUL: Sheridan Gorman’s mom had HUGE praise for President Trump after he personally called her following her daughter’s kiIIing by an illegal
“President Trump called us and despite what people may think, he did not say ONE THING political. He just basically held us.”
“He… pic.twitter.com/4o8nkoPazU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 7, 2026
At the same time, Jessica Gorman has made it clear that while she does not want her daughter’s death to become a political symbol, she does want people to understand her frustration and determination to seek justice.
Fox News highlighted remarks she made during Sheridan’s vigil, where she spoke openly about the pain her family continues to endure.
“I want to say this gently, but honestly, as a mom, I’m angry,” she told those gathered. “I’m like completely heartbroken, and we are going to fight for justice for our sweet Sheridan, and we’re going to fight for change.”
Those words capture the difficult balance many families face after a tragedy. There is overwhelming grief, but there is also a desire to prevent similar losses in the future.
Immigration and border security became central issues during Trump’s 2024 campaign, with the president repeatedly arguing that stronger enforcement was necessary to protect American communities. Cases like Sheridan’s are often cited by supporters as examples of why those policies matter.
Meanwhile, the Gorman family remains focused on the loss that changed their lives forever. Political debates will continue. Arguments over immigration policy will continue. Elections will come and go.
For Sheridan’s loved ones, however, the reality is much simpler and far more painful. A daughter, a friend, and a young student is gone. The search for justice continues, and the grief left behind is something no family should ever have to endure.
