A New York state legislator criticized the U.S. immigration system as “clearly broken” following the arrest of a Venezuelan migrant accused of fatally shooting a teenager from his constituency.
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old from Yorktown Heights, tragically lost her life after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. The incident occurred while she was strolling with friends along Chicago’s lakefront in the early hours of Thursday morning.
A 25-year-old Venezuelan man, who entered the United States three years ago, was detained in connection with the murder of the Loyola College freshman.
State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-Yorktown) expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for capturing the suspect, but he also criticized the immigration system for permitting an allegedly dangerous person to remain in the country.
“It’s important to remember that this marks the second occurrence of such violence impacting our community,” Slater remarked in a statement to The Post.
He further commented, “Our immigration system is evidently dysfunctional, putting innocent American lives at risk. No one should suffer due to a system that fails at multiple levels.”
Slater was referring to the murder on Oct. 28, 2024, of 15-year-old Michael Raimondi at the hands of 40-year-old illegal migrant Fernando Jiminez.
Michael’s mother, Jiminez’s ex-girlfriend Christina Raimondi, and Michael’s brother Matthew were also shot in the attack at their home in Somers in Westchester County.
Gorman’s family has confirmed that they are aware that their daughter’s alleged killer is a Venezuelan national.
“This was not inevitable. This was a choice. And our daughter paid the price for it,” the family said in a statement Sunday.
“Our daughter’s life was not expendable. She should still be here,” the statement continued.
