'Illegal immigration stole my little sister': Gorman says Sheridan’s death made politics personal

DALLAS, TEXAS: Madeline Gorman became emotional while remembering her 18-year-old sister Sheridan at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas. She said Sheridan’s death changed the way she viewed politics, turning an issue she once saw from a distance into something deeply personal.

The Gorman family spoke about Sheridan’s death at the convention on September 10, six months after she was killed in a March 19, 2026, shooting in Chicago’s Rogers Park. The family blamed sanctuary policies that they say allowed suspect Jose Medina to remain free after previous arrests.

Madeline Gorman remembers sister Sheridan’s empty bedroom

“Illegal immigration stole my little sister from me,” Madeline said while recalling Sheridan.

She said she had believed they would have more time together, but that changed after Sheridan’s death.

“Politics stopped being theoretical for me. It became my sister's empty bedroom. Her silent phone, my parents collapsing in grief,” Madeline said.

Her remarks brought the family’s personal loss into the middle of a political gathering focused on public safety and immigration.

The family also unveiled a handcrafted buddy bench for Congress and urged voters to put public safety and love for America ahead of partisan divides.

Tom Gorman recalls promise he made to Sheridan

Sheridan’s father, Tom Gorman, also spoke about the last time he held his daughter’s hand and compared it with a promise he made when she was a child.

“When Sheridan was six, she had her tonsils removed. I held her hand and made her a promise every father believes he can keep: ‘You are safe. Daddy is right here. I will protect you.’

The last thing she said before she closed her eyes was, ‘I love you, daddy.’”

Thirteen years later, Tom said, he held that same hand again.

“13 years later, I held that same hand. Only this time it was cold.”

Tom said he was outside the Chicago Medical Examiner’s office holding his daughter’s hand after her death.

“I was outside the Chicago Medical Examiner's office, holding the lifeless hand of my 18-year-old daughter for the last time. Our sweet Sheridan was murdered in Chicago by a man who was in this country illegally,” he said.

Gorman family calls for public safety after Sheridan’s death

Tom said the loss left him thinking about the promise he had made to Sheridan years earlier.

“All I could think about was that promise I made her — because when Sheridan needed me the most, I wasn't there. I couldn't get between her and that man.”

He said the family does not want another parent to experience the same grief.

“We don't want anyone else to have to hold the cold hand of their daughter and know it was 100% preventable,” Tom said.

He urged people watching to speak up about the issue.

“Find your voice. Speak up for these American angels.”