Mom of Sheridan Gorman vows to 'fight for justice' 18-year-old daughter slain by illegal immigrant

The parents and sister of Sheridan Gorman.

The grieving mother and father of Sheridan Gorman spoke out publicly at a vigil held for her late daughter, Sheridan Gorman, the 18-year-old college freshman shot to death by an illegal immigrant almost two weeks ago. 

Hundreds attended the vigil held in Yorktown, New York, Sheridan Gorman's hometown. The slain college student was attending Loyola University in Chicago, where she was fatally shot just off the school campus on March 19. 

"Sheridan -- she was our joy, our collective joy. And now that joy is gone," Thomas Gorman, her father, said at the vigil. 

"I want to say this gently, but honestly, as a mom. I'm angry," Jessica Gorman, her mother, said. She vowed her family would not sit still in the wake of the avoidable tragedy. "I'm like completely heartbroken, and we are going to fight for justice for our sweet Sheridan, and we're going to fight for change."

Authorities have arrested 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina for murder in Gorman's killing. Police say he shot Gorman at about one in the morning while Gorman was out with friends hoping to see the Northern Lights. Medina-Medina is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela and had an arrest record here in the U.S., but was still allowed to remain on the streets. 

According to Fox News, Gorman's family has spoken to President Trump about the tragedy, but details of the call were kept under wraps -- although a White House official confirmed the conversation happened. Below, watch a clip of Jessica Gorman's remarks at the vigil held for her daughter.