ICE pushes for person of interest in Loyola student’s killing to remain in custody

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking local authorities not to release a person of interest in the shooting death of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman, the Department of Homeland Security said Sunday.

In a statement, DHS said law enforcement arrested a Venezuelan migrant who they said entered the United States illegally. NBC Chicago isn’t naming the individual as he hasn’t been charged.

Chicago police said Saturday detectives were questioning a person of interest in the case, but haven’t provided additional details.

Gorman, 18, was shot and killed at around 1 a.m. Thursday near Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, where she and friends went to see the Northern Lights.

Authorities previously said an unknown masked man approached the group, pulled out a gun and fired in their direction. Gorman was shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gorman’s family released the following the statement through their attorney on Sunday.

“As the case moves forward toward arraignment the family has been informed that the suspect is a Venezuelan national and additional information is expected to be released.  We are again faced with the unbearable truth: our daughter’s life was taken, and our family will never be the same.

Sheridan was the heart of our family. She had a rare ability to bring people together—to make others feel included, understood, and loved. She lived with intention, with faith, and with a kindness that defined who she was every single day. She was just beginning her journey, with so much ahead of her.

She was doing something entirely normal—walking with friends, close to home, in an area where she had every reason to feel safe. There was nothing unusual about her being there. There was nothing that should have placed her in harm’s way.

“This was not inevitable. This was a choice. And our daughter paid the price for it.”

We want to be clear: Sheridan did nothing wrong. She lived her life the way any young person should be able to live it—freely, safely, and without fear. That was taken from her. And it was taken from us.

“Our daughter’s life was not expendable. She should still be here.”

We recognize that the arraignment represents a formal step in the justice process, and we appreciate the work of law enforcement in bringing the case to this point. But for our family, this is not about a process—it is about accountability, and it is about ensuring that Sheridan’s life is not reduced to just another case moving through the system.

“This cannot become just another story that fades with time.”

Sheridan’s life had meaning. Her presence changed people. And her absence is something we will live with forever. We intend to make sure that her name, her story, and the impact of her life endure beyond this moment.

There will come a time when we speak more fully about how Sheridan’s life can continue to matter in the world. For now, our focus remains on honoring her, supporting one another, and seeing this process through.

We are not ready to participate in interviews at this time and ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve. We are profoundly grateful for the support we have received from so many—it has carried us through the darkest days of our lives.

“Sheridan was deeply loved. She always will be. And we will not let her be forgotten.”