Governor JB Pritzker’s cheery video touting Chicago’s lakefront as safe and gorgeous has exploded back online—right after an illegal immigrant with a rap sheet killed a young American college student in that very spot.
Story Snapshot
- 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman shot dead near Tobey Prinz Beach Park by Venezuelan national Jose Medina, charged with murder.
- Medina caught twice before—by Border Patrol in 2023 and Chicago cops for shoplifting—yet released both times under sanctuary policies.
- Pritzker’s September 2025 video praising the area’s safety resurfaces, fueling outrage over misleading claims amid rising violent crime.
- DHS slams sanctuary politicians; demands Pritzker and Chicago officials keep Medina locked up.
- Chicago’s Police District 24 sees surging violent crimes, including 3 murders, 19 sexual assaults, 32 aggravated batteries as of March 2026.
Tragic Murder Shatters Lakefront Illusion
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University student, died from gunshot wounds near Tobey Prinz Beach Park in Chicago’s Police District 24 this March 2026. Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national, faces murder charges for the killing. Medina evaded deportation after U.S. Border Patrol apprehended him in May 2023. Chicago authorities arrested him for shoplifting in June 2023 but released him without detention. This preventable death underscores failures in immigration enforcement that endanger American lives, leaving families devastated and communities on edge.
Pritzker's glowing review of lakefront resurfaces after college student killed by illegal alien nearbyhttps://t.co/bGTbs4rCJk
— Carol (@Carol83478741) March 25, 2026
Pritzker’s Tone-Deaf Video Resurfaces
In September 2025, Governor JB Pritzker strolled the Chicago lakefront, posting a Facebook video calling it “absolutely gorgeous” and emphasizing its safety. The clip resurfaced immediately after Gorman’s murder, drawing sharp criticism. Pritzker’s office ignored requests for comment on lakefront crime rates. Critics highlight the stark contrast: a Democrat governor’s rosy portrayal clashing with reality, as sanctuary policies shield repeat offenders. This incident exposes how elite messaging prioritizes politics over public safety.
Sanctuary Policies Under Fire
Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis condemned “open border policies and sanctuary politicians,” noting Medina’s two releases before the murder. She urged Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to ensure Medina stays jailed. District 24, part of Chicago’s Area 3, ranks second in murders among six districts. March 2026 stats reveal three murders, 19 sexual assaults, and 32 aggravated batteries. Property crimes dropped, but violent offenses worsened, fueling demands to end sanctuary protections that harbor criminals.
Conservative voices and Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin amplified the story, tying it to broader immigration failures. Chicago residents now question lakefront security, with political pressure mounting on Democrat leaders.
Pritzker's glowing review of lakefront resurfaces after college student killed by illegal alien nearby https://t.co/K8uPUeRfor #FoxNews
— Red Voter (@BucpoVoter) March 25, 2026
Broader Ramifications for Families and Policy
Gorman’s family, Loyola community, and lakefront users bear the brunt of this tragedy. Short-term, Pritzker and Johnson face heat over safety and borders. Long-term, the case reignites national debates on sanctuary cities, potentially shifting public views on immigration enforcement. In an era of border chaos and rising costs, Americans demand leaders prioritize citizens first—ending policies that release threats into neighborhoods. This story galvanizes calls for common-sense reforms protecting families and sovereignty.
