Logo

A progressive Chicago Democrat is taking a ton of heat for suggesting that a Loyola University Chicago student who was allegedly executed by an illegal migrant caused her own murder — and that she was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden was speaking after Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old from Yorktown, New York, was shot dead Thursday morning while she walked with friends along the city’s lakefront near campus.

Hadden said the deadly shooting appeared to be a case of Gorman being “in the wrong place at the wrong time, running into a person who had a gun,” in an interview with Fox 32 Chicago.


  Yorktown teenager Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed near her college campus in Chicago. Instagram / Sheridan Gorman Yorktown teenager Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed near her college campus in Chicago. Instagram / Sheridan Gorman

“They might have unintentionally startled this person at the end of the pier,” she added. “We don’t believe there is cause for broader community concern.”

An illegal Venezuelan migrant, 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, was arrested and charged with the killing.

Hadden’s comments come despite police reports that Gorman’s killer stalked her from behind for some time before shooting her at point-blank range and fleeing.

Here is the latest on the killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman

Hadden was accused of having “pretty much blamed Sheridan Gorman for her own murder” by one X user.

“These people are sick!” the user added.


  Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden said Gorman may have been in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” TNS Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden said Gorman may have been in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” TNS

Another X user accused Hadden of “downplaying the murder of an American citizen in defense of a Venezuelan gangbanging invader.”

“Blaming the victim for startling the armed illegal invader? You, Maria Hadden, are garbage,” wrote a third.


  Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an illegal Venezuelan migrant, is accused of murdering Gorman. DHS Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an illegal Venezuelan migrant, is accused of murdering Gorman. DHS

Hadden did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

It is not the first time Hadden has sparked controversy with her remarks.

In January, she drew parallels between the Holocaust and ICE immigration raids in Chicago during a city council meeting.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy