Venezuelan Migrant in Custody Over Execution-Style Killing of Chicago College Student
Chicago police have taken a Venezuelan migrant into custody following the execution-style murder of an 18-year-old college student, according to official sources. Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University, was walking with friends along Lake Michigan at approximately 1:30am on Thursday when a man dressed in black emerged from bushes and shot her in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her family and community in profound shock.
Suspect Identified Through Distinctive Limp
Sources within the Chicago Police Department confirmed to Fox News that a Venezuelan migrant is currently being questioned in connection with Gorman's shooting. The suspect, identified as a 25-year-old man residing in Rogers Park, was reportedly located by police due to his distinct limp. The Chicago Tribune noted he has not been formally charged, leading the outlet to withhold his name.
Court records from Cook County reveal the man faced a misdemeanor charge for shoplifting from a Macy's store in June 2023. This prior incident adds context to the ongoing investigation as authorities piece together the events leading to Gorman's tragic death.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement
Sheridan's parents, Thomas and Jessica Gorman, flew to Chicago on Thursday night to collect their daughter's body. In a deeply emotional statement, the family expressed their devastation: "Our beloved daughter, Sheridan, was taken from us this morning in Chicago. There is no way to soften this - this was murder. Sheridan was the light of our lives. She made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was."
The statement continued: "She lived her faith with kindness, compassion, and joy, and she loved her family and friends deeply. We trusted that she would be safe. That trust was broken. Someone made a deliberate choice that stole our daughter and forever changed our family." The family emphasized they are demanding answers and will not cease fighting until justice is served.
Sheridan Gorman's Life and Social Media Presence
Sheridan grew up in Yorktown Heights, New York, an upper-middle-class suburb in Westchester County, residing in a family home valued at approximately $1 million. She attended Yorktown High School, a highly rated public institution, before committing to Loyola University, a private Jesuit college on Chicago's north side.
Her mother, Jessica, frequently posts online about her patriotism, support for veterans, and dedication to protecting the American flag. In May 2025, she proudly announced Sheridan's acceptance to Loyola, sharing a photo of her daughter surrounded by university merchandise.
Sheridan's own social media profiles reflected a vibrant, faith-filled young woman. Her Instagram description featured a Bible verse from Corinthians: "let all that you do be done in love." Just days before her death, she posted festive St. Patrick's Day photos with friends in Chicago, captioned "Where's my kiss?" Earlier in March, she shared optimistic images with the caption "Warmer days ahead!" – a phrase that now carries a haunting weight.
Random Nature of the Attack Echoes Other Cases
Chicago Alderman Maria Hadden, who has been in contact with police, stated Gorman was likely "at the wrong place at the wrong time," suggesting she was not the intended target. This seemingly random violence has drawn comparisons to other nationally publicized murders, notably the killing of Laken Riley.
Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. José Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her brutal killing. Ibarra had prior arrests for endangering a child and shoplifting.
Riley's case became a political flashpoint, leading to the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention for illegal immigrants arrested for certain crimes. Her murder also recalled the 2018 killing of Mollie Tibbetts, a University of Iowa student murdered by an illegal migrant from Mexico while she was out running.
As the investigation into Sheridan Gorman's death continues, her family mourns a life cut short, while authorities work to ensure the suspect faces full legal accountability for this senseless act of violence.
