Ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich says Sheridan Gorman’s killing may have been a 'gang initiation'

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says the amerciable migrant accused of gunning down Sheridan Gorman successful Chicago did truthful arsenic portion of a "gang initiation."

Jose Medina-Medina, 25, allegedly changeable and killed 18-year-old Gorman connected March 19 astatine astir 1:06 a.m. portion she was astatine a pier with friends successful the city's Rogers Park area. Medina-Medina entered the state illegally connected May 9, 2023, and was apprehended past released into the U.S. nether the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

In a station connected X, Blagojevich said helium thinks Gorman's alleged slayer is being held successful isolation arsenic portion of a "cover-up," saying helium believes her execution was portion of a pack initiation.

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Former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich speaks extracurricular successful Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

"Sheridan Gorman’s slayer is being held successful isolation. I fishy Pritzker & the Dems are hiding him to COVER-UP the information that this amerciable migrant killed an guiltless young miss arsenic portion of a GANG INITIATION. I cognize gangbangers & however they operate. I lived with them for 8 years. And I cognize Pritzker & the Dems," Blagojevich said. "Bet you I’m right."

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Gorman was described arsenic idiosyncratic who was "everyone’s cheerleader," arsenic those who knew her said she had a mode of making others "feel seen, valued, and believed in."

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Sheridan Gorman, a New York native, was reportedly lone a fewer months distant from completing her freshman twelvemonth astatine Loyola University Chicago successful Illinois. (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)

"People often accidental idiosyncratic ‘lit up a room’ oregon had "inner and outer beauty," but successful Sheridan’s case, those phrases autumn mode excessively short. She radiated thing adjacent greater—a uncommon and unmistakable warmth, a tone that was vibrant, compassionate, and afloat of life," according to an obituary for Gorman. "She loved fiercely—her family, her friends, her community, and her faith. She brought radical together, lifted them up, and made the mean moments consciousness bonzer simply by being successful them."

Medina-Medina was scheduled to look successful tribunal connected Monday but the proceeding was postponed due to the fact that he's hospitalized with tuberculosis. The proceeding is scheduled for Friday morning.

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Medina-Medina successful 2023 was charged with shoplifting aft prosecutors said helium stole conscionable implicit $130 successful merchandise from a Macy's successful downtown Chicago. 

He failed to look for a tribunal proceeding for the shoplifting charge, resulting successful a nonaccomplishment to look warrant being issued. That warrant was inactive progressive erstwhile helium allegedly changeable and killed Gorman, according to tribunal records.

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Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national, was besides arrested for shoplifting and released earlier the alleged murder, DHS confirmed.  (DHS)

A constabulary root earlier told Fox News that the shooting was an evident ambush, adding that the fishy was reportedly wearing immoderate benignant of look disguise oregon covering. 

An apprehension study obtained by Fox News Digital states that aft the shooting, Medina was seen connected video successful his flat building's lobby waiting for an elevator portion helium wasn't masked. A gathering technologist told constabulary that helium knew the fishy who had a "very chiseled limp and gait."

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Sheridan Gorman smiles alongside the Chicago skyline successful Illinois.  (Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)

Images of the fishy were sent to a constabulary database, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection identified the fishy arsenic Medina. He was arrested astatine his flat successful Rogers Park, according to the apprehension report.

Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital amusement that Medina told officials helium was surviving astatine Leone Beach Park fieldhouse successful Rogers Park successful 2023, which was being utilized arsenic a city-sponsored structure for migrants.

The city-sponsored structure closed successful 2024, according to South Side Weekly.