Former Illinois Governor’s Comments on Chicago Shooting

Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, has made remarks regarding the undocumented immigrant accused of killing Sheridan Gorman in Chicago. He suggested that the shooting was part of a gang initiation.

Jose Medina-Medina, 25, is believed to have fatally shot Gorman, who was just 18, on a pier in the Rogers Park area around 1:06 a.m. on March 19. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Medina-Medina entered the United States illegally on May 9, 2023. He was subsequently arrested and released while under the Biden administration.

In a post on X, Blagojevich expressed concern that Medina-Medina is being hidden away as part of a “cover-up.” He believes that Gorman’s murder was orchestrated by a gang member.

Blagojevich stated, “The man who killed Sheridan Gorman is in isolation. I think Pritzker and the Democrats are keeping him in hiding to cover up the fact that this illegal immigrant murdered an innocent girl as part of his gang initiation. I know gang bangers and how they do it. I lived with them for eight years, and I know Pritzker and the Democrats too,” adding, “I’m sure I’m right.”

Friends and acquaintances of Gorman have mentioned that she had a special ability to make people feel appreciated and valued, often described as “everybody’s cheerleader.”

Her obituary detailed how she “lit up a room” and had an unmistakable warmth that drew people in. It mentioned her love for family, friends, and community, stating that she had a unique talent for making ordinary situations feel extraordinary.

Medina-Medina was due in court on Monday, but the hearing was delayed as he was hospitalized with tuberculosis. A public hearing is now scheduled for Friday morning.

In 2023, Medina-Medina was charged with shoplifting over $130 worth of items from a Macy’s in downtown Chicago. A warrant was not issued for his failure to attend a court hearing regarding this charge, and this warrant remained active when Gorman was killed.

Law enforcement indicated that the shooting was a clear ambush, noting that the suspect appeared to wear some kind of mask or covering during the act. Post-shooting, Medina was spotted on surveillance waiting for an elevator at the apartment lobby without the mask, and a witness identified him due to a distinctive limp.

Authorities identified Medina through an image sent to a police database, leading to his arrest at his Rogers Park apartment. Court documents reveal he had previously lived in a city-sponsored migrant shelter located in the Leone Beach Park Fieldhouse, which the city plans to close in 2024.