Chicago Democrat Closes Her Office After Backlash for Saying Student Murdered by Illegal Alien Was in ‘Wrong Place at Wrong Time’
Screencap of Twitter/X video.
Last week in Chicago, 18‑year‑old Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University Chicago, was fatally shot while walking near the lakefront in the Rogers Park neighborhood. The person accused of killing her is 25‑year‑old Jose Medina‑Medina, a Venezuelan national who was in the United States without legal status and had previously been encountered and released by authorities, according to federal officials. The killing has sparked widespread attention and debate over public safety and immigration policies.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Chicago City Council member Maria Hadden spoke about the incident in a way that drew sharp criticism from residents and commentators. In an interview, she described the shooting as a case of Gorman being in the “wrong place at the wrong time” and speculated that the victim and her friends might have unintentionally startled the person accused of the murder. Many people said those remarks sounded like blaming the victim, leading to a strong negative reaction online and in media coverage.
We think Ald. Maria Hadden has done such a wonderful job in the 49th Ward, we designed this yard sign to help her reelection campaign. pic.twitter.com/u6RuqV8k8b
— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) March 25, 2026
Because of the backlash and concerns about her personal safety and that of her staff, Hadden announced that her Chicago office would be closed for the remainder of the week. She said the closure was a precaution to ensure the wellbeing of her team while they continue their work for constituents. She also issued statements defending her intentions, saying her earlier comments had been mischaracterized.
The incident has also drawn criticism from Gorman’s family, who emphasized that her death should not be reduced to a phrase like “wrong place at the wrong time” and called for justice and accountability. Around the country, the killing and its political fallout have fueled debate about law enforcement, immigration enforcement practices, and how public officials talk about violent crime.
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