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House avoids unprecedented four-member expulsion week as Swalwell and Gonzales resign instead
It may have been possible to bequeath this as "expulsion week."
Instead, this might be "resignation week."
The House has only expelled six Members in the history of the republic. But it was possible as recently as Monday that the House was primed to wrestle with a mind-boggling four expulsions.
It takes a two-thirds vote to expel a Member. The House last expelled one of its own in late 2023: former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.). Before that, you have to go back to 2002 when the House kicked out late Rep. Jim Traficant (D-Ohio).
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Here was the chopping block:
Calls to expel former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) piled up after reports surfaced that he sexually assaulted a former aide and several other women. Swalwell initially said he would fight the allegations. Then he dropped his bid to become governor of California after a host of once close allies abandoned their support. Swalwell has now resigned, avoiding the ignominious scene of an expulsion.
Then there was former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas). At first, Gonzales denied an affair with an aide who committed suicide by setting herself on fire. Gonzales was locked in a tough primary runoff against Republican Congressional candidate Brandon Herrera. But after pressure, Gonzales finally dropped out of the runoff and isn’t standing for re-election. However, Gonzales intended to stay on until his term expired on January 3 next year. But now Gonzales is out the door, too.
So two down, two to go.
This is where things grow complicated.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) could face expulsion soon. In late March, the House Ethics Committee held a rare "trial," declaring she improperly obtained an astonishing $5 million in COVID relief funds. The Ethics panel will likely recommend a punishment for Cherfilus-McCormick next week. The full House doesn’t have to consider or adhere to the prescribed discipline. The congresswoman proclaims her innocence. She faces a criminal trial in Florida in February 2027.
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"The facts are indisputable at this point and so I believe it will be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled," forecast House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Rep. Greg Stuebe (R-Fla.) filed a resolution to bounce Cherfilus-McCormick from the body a few months ago.
And for the Republicans, there’s Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.). Mills is accused of "stolen valor" and exaggeration of his military record. But what triggered the current expulsion push is an allegation that the congressman struck his girlfriend in early 2025. A judge imposed a restraining order against Mills. However, police never charged the congressman. The Ethics Committee is also investigating whether he violated federal campaign rules. But the formal ethics probe of the Florida Republican isn’t as far along as the Cherfilus-McCormick inquiry.
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Johnson is mindful of that fact.
"With regard to Mills, I'm not sure the status of the Ethics Committee investigation and that's one of the things I'll be looking into today," said Johnson.
Four troubled Members. Two Democrats and two Republicans. It was that parity which may have primed the House to take the unprecedented step of expelling those four Members before Swalwell and Gonzales announced their resignations. But a push to expel Cherfiulus-McCormick and not Mills creates a host of problems in the House.
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It’s about the math.
The House swore-in Rep. Clay Fuller (R-Ga.) on Monday night. Fuller won a special election last week to succeed former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) who resigned. That GOP gain is likely offset by an anticipated victory by Democratic Congressional candidate Analilia Mejia in a Thursday special election in New Jersey. This is a Democratic seat which has been vacant since New Jersey Gov. and former Congresswoman Mikie Sherill (D) resigned from the House last fall.
With Swalwell and Gonzales out and Fuller in, the current breakdown is 431 Members: 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.) dropped his affiliation with the GOP. The addition of Fuller and presumed win by Meija would make the breakdown 217 to 214 and one independent – with one vacancy, covering 432 Members. After the Swalwell and Gonzales resignations, the remaining open seat is a solidly Republican district in northern California, long held by late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.). He died in January.
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But what happens if the House moves against Cherfilus-McCormick and not Mills? That creates an imbalance between the parties – something which was lost when the potential expulsion of four Members was on the table.
"What about this issue of parity," yours truly asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
"The issue of parity hasn't been something that we've had a conversation about. We've been working through what's in front of us today and that's what we're going to continue to do," replied Jeffries.
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I followed up.
"But isn't that a concern, though, if they take action against Cherfilus-McCormick? Her ethics process is further along than Mr. Mills," I asked.
"The ethics process is still incomplete and we'll see what the Ethics Committee has to recommend next week," replied Jeffries.
That’s in reference to the upcoming ethics panel meeting, recommending punishment for the Florida Democrat.
It was one thing if the House may have bounced four Members, two Republicans and two Democrats, all at once. But it’s dicier now that Gonzales and Swalwell stepped aside. It’s further complicated considering the uneven status of the ethics inquiries regarding Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills.
It seems that Congress is now in a period of establishing new precedents on a regular basis. A record-breaking government shutdown – only superseded by another record-breaking government shutdown. In addition, the House is experiencing a dramatic increase in the raw number of "censures" which it doles out to Members. Censure is the second-highest mode of punishment in the House, just below expulsion.
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The House censured late Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) in late 2010. Prior to that, the House last reprimanded late Reps. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) and Daniel Crane (R-Ill.) in 1983. But since 2021, the House has censured five Members: Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) – when he served in the House – Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Al Green (D-Texas).
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) recently characterized the censure explosion as the "political" weaponization of the ethics process.
It’s possible the House might not take any immediate action regarding Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills. Lawmakers from both sides may be more willing to expel one of their own – and maybe take one for the team on their side – if a similar outcome is guaranteed across the aisle.
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With such a tight majority, Republicans may not want to cede power to Democrats if the House expels a GOP Member as they try to cling to the majority. By the same token, it’s doubtful Democrats are willing to absorb a hit when they are within sneezing distance of the majority – if they don’t see a political equilibrium and document consequences for the Republican majority.
Moreover, tracking where the votes lie for disciplinary action is nearly impossible. What further complicates this is whether any expulsion motion actually comes to a true, up/down vote. There are often motions "to table" or kill any resolution to impose discipline against a Member. The same with motions "to refer" or dispatch allegations against a Member to the Ethics Committee for additional scrutiny. For instance, the Ethics panel is all but done probing Cherfilus-McCormick and is investigating Mills. So it’s unclear what would happen with any possible motion "to refer."
And let’s be frank: some lawmakers either really want to be on the record voting to discipline one of their colleagues or want no part of it at all. Resolutions to sit in judgment of a colleague is one of the hardest votes lawmakers take. Right up with a vote to go to war. That’s why some prefer the political fig leaf of a "motion to refer" or "motion to table" to an actual up/down vote to punish one of their own.
So this could have been "expulsion week" on Capitol Hill. It’s certainly "resignation week." And if there’s no other disciplinary action, some lawmakers will be resigned to that outcome.
New video shows Oklahoma high school principal tackling gunman who opened fire inside the school
Newly released video shows the moment an Oklahoma high school principal confronted and tackled a gunman after he opened fire inside the school.
The footage shows Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore confronting the suspect — identified as 20-year-old former student Victor Hawkins — after he walked into the building on April 7.
Moore was shot in the leg during the confrontation and was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition, authorities said.
The video also shows someone opening a door and allowing the suspected shooter into the building.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) told KFOR-TV it does not believe the individual was working with the suspect. Investigators have not determined whether the person who opened the door was a student or staff member, a spokesperson said.
An OSBI spokesperson told Fox News Digital there are no other suspects in the incident.
Authorities said the shooting unfolded around 2:21 p.m., prompting a lockdown until officers cleared the scene. Moore and other staff subdued the gunman until law enforcement arrived and arrested Hawkins.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Hawkins entered the school carrying two loaded semi-automatic pistols.
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The affidavit states Moore ran to the lobby after hearing gunfire, where Hawkins allegedly fired at him, striking him in the leg.
Moore then "wrestled with Hawkins on a bench in the foyer and was able to remove Hawkins’ pistol from his hand," according to the affidavit. Moore and other staff held the suspect down until officers arrived.
Hawkins was charged last week with one count of shooting with intent to kill, one count of carrying a weapon into a public assembly, and two counts of feloniously pointing a firearm.
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Court documents reviewed by the outlet show Hawkins studied the Columbine school shooting and told investigators he "wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did."
After entering the school, Hawkins allegedly pointed a gun and yelled for people to "get on the ground," KFOR reported.
He then pointed a gun at a student and attempted to fire, but the weapon malfunctioned, according to the affidavit.
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Hawkins attempted to clear the malfunction before later firing at another student, who raised his hands and pleaded not to be shot, the affidavit states.
According to investigators, Hawkins lowered his weapon and told the students to leave.
The OSBI said Moore and school staff acted quickly to stop the attack.
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"The principal of the school had noticed that an adult male subject, 20 years old, had stepped foot into the school with a gun," OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee told KOCO-TV. "When the principal noticed this, he quickly stepped in, as well as other staff. The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt, but no one else was."
"The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today," McKee added.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
‘Bachelorette’ star Taylor Frankie Paul won’t face new domestic violence charges
Utah reality star Taylor Frankie Paul will not face new domestic violence charges, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office.
According to People, prosecutors claimed on Tuesday that they will not be pressing additional charges against Paul. In February, two Utah police departments opened separate domestic violence investigations involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Per the outlet, the press release stated that the incident happened more than two years ago, placing them outside the statute of limitations.
Mortensen had also reported to police that Paul had scratched him during an explosive fight in February, while Paul claimed she was not the aggressor during that incident. The District Attorney's office noted that any additional domestic violence claims lacked "sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges."
Paul previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Mortensen in 2023, which meant any new charges would have violated her parole.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Paul and Mortensen for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
On March 25, authorities in West Jordan, Utah, told Fox News Digital that they were investigating allegations of domestic violence against Paul stemming from an incident in 2024, brought by her ex-boyfriend.
"The West Jordan Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. The allegations were reported at the end of February 2026, and detectives have reviewed video believed to have been recorded in early to mid-2024," authorities confirmed.
Police were reviewing multiple videos tied to the alleged altercation to determine details and timelines.
"Investigators are actively working to gather and verify information and are in the process of interviewing those involved. At this time, no charges have been filed, as the investigation remains ongoing."
Police in Draper, Utah, confirmed with Fox News Digital that a separate domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen had been opened, with allegations on both sides having been reported on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
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Due to the domestic violence incident resurfacing, Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" was canceled.
A spokesperson for Paul previously told Fox News Digital, following the cancellation of her season of "The Bachelorette," "Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."
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"There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives," the spokesperson continued. "Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."
The first domestic violence incident resulted in charges against Paul, who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in August 2023. Video of the incident was shared earlier this month by TMZ, and soon after, ABC announced that it would not be airing Paul's season of "The Bachelorette."
Production on Season 5 of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" has also reportedly been halted following the resurfaced incident.
Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
Colorado highway descends into chaos after massive 75-vehicle pileup, amid hazardous winter weather
At least 75 vehicles were ensnared in a massive, chain-reaction pileup on a Colorado highway Tuesday, authorities said.
The crashes unfolded in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver, specifically near Loveland Ski Area, and followed a chaotic morning that saw six separate wrecks, mostly along the same highway, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the latest crash forced a two-way lane shutdown on Interstate 70, as photos released by the authorities showed emergency crews assisting drivers at the scene.
"The closure is due to a severe multi-vehicle crash on the east side of Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel that took place this afternoon," the Colorado Department of Transportation (CODOT) said. "There is currently no estimated time for reopening."
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According to the photos, the crashes appeared to have occurred on a snow-blanketed roadway, as winter weather may have created hazardous driving conditions in the mountain corridor.
The area near Loveland Ski Area has also long been known as a major bottleneck on I-70, particularly as ski traffic converges with Denver-area commuters during the spring season.
Officials have not yet reported any injuries.
Earlier in the day, officials reported six crashes during the morning hours, with some involving single vehicles and others multi-vehicle collisions. Five of the crashes occurred on I-70 westbound near mile marker 221, with another reported on U.S. Highway 40.
The sheriff’s office indicated that all of those earlier incidents had been cleared before the major 75-vehicle pileup unfolded nearby on I-70 eastbound near mile marker 216.
An hour later, the authorities shut down both lanes of the highway.
"Due to the severity of the crash, drivers approaching the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel should expect to be turned around for the next several hours," CODOT said.
"Bottom line, we need folks to slow down, increase following distance, and make it to their destination safely," the sheriff’s office said.
Colorado State Patrol is leading the crash investigation.
Former UCLA gynecologist sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting patients at school
A former doctor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), was sentenced to 11 years in prison Tuesday, after he was accused of sexually assaulting his patients as an obstetrician-gynecologist at the school.
James Heaps, 69, pleaded guilty to 13 counts, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced in a news release, including six felony counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, five felony counts of sexual battery by fraud, and two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a patient.
Throughout his 35-year career at UCLA, the university spent nearly $700 million to settle civil claims made against him.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
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Heaps's plea comes after an appeals court in California determined he was denied a fair trial in 2023 due to concerns that one juror did not speak enough English to adequately carry out their responsibilities.
At the time, his attorney, Leonard Levine, told The Associated Press that, "justice is slow, but it’s finally been done."
"I believe it's just a matter of time before he is totally exonerated," he added.
Levine did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Prosecutors, however, framed the outcome differently.
"Today marks the second time that we’re holding James Heaps responsible for the unconscionable crimes he committed while being entrusted with the safety of his patients," Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, according to the release.
"For years, Heaps exploited the sacred trust between a doctor and patient to prey on vulnerable victims during medical procedures. This sentence ensures that Heaps will finally be held accountable for the harm he inflicted under the guise of care. To the survivors: I hope today brings you closure knowing that the individual who violated your trust has been definitively brought to justice. To all survivors, please know that we believe you and we will fight for you."
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
In 2023, the doctor's former patients claimed he groped them, made suggestive comments, or conducted unnecessarily invasive exams at the college's student health center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, or in his campus office.
The women who filed lawsuits against Heaps claimed the school ignored their comments and allowed the abuse to continue.
Fox News Digital's Greg Normand-Diamond contributed to this report.
Raiders GM John Spytek admits to getting 'a few calls' about the No 1 pick ahead of next week's NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make Fernando Mendoza, the national championship-winning quarterback from Indiana, the first overall pick in the NFL Draft next Thursday.
But that hasn’t stopped teams below the Raiders at No. 1 overall from calling their phone about a possible trade up scenario.
Raiders GM John Spytek spoke during a pre-NFL Draft news conference, during which he admitted to getting a "few calls" about the first overall selection his team owns.
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"Those teams know where they stand," Spytek said, via ESPN.
Spytek said during the news conference that good trades can always materialize on draft night, sometimes even right before the pick. However, if a player stands out to the team, as Mendoza is believed to have done, the Raiders will turn down an offer.
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"If there’s a player that stands out that we feel it’s not worth losing, it’s not worth even picking up the phone, then we’ll just make the pick," Spytek added. "But if it’s a player that we’re not as excited about, or there’s a group of players that we would love to pick from, and we can get value for that, we’re certainly open to listening to that."
All signs point to Mendoza, who has cemented himself as the best quarterback in this draft after an undefeated season at Indiana. It also became more apparent that a quarterback was needed for Las Vegas after reaching a deal with the New York Jets to reunite them with Geno Smith, who was their starter in 2025 following a prior deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Raiders, however, did bring in Kirk Cousins after his release from the Atlanta Falcons, though his $20 million in guaranteed money on a whopping $172 million deal indicates he will serve as a mentor for whoever the Raiders bring in the building through the draft . Aidan O’Connell is also on the Raiders’ roster under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Kubiak is fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks, serving as their offensive coordinator before taking this promotion following a one-year stint by Pete Carroll in Sin City. It didn’t go according to plan for Las Vegas, resulting in the first overall selection.
But things are looking up for the silver and black, as Spytek used the team’s vast free agent cap room to sign the likes of center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and wide receiver Jalen Nailor, among others.
Now, Spytek and the franchise have their eyes set on improving the roster even more with potential cornerstone pieces through the NFL Draft. The Raiders possess 10 total picks, including the first overall selection, which is the first time they’ve had that slot since 2007.
And those picks, if it's Mendoza or anyone else in the draft, will have to earn their roster spot and playing time like everyone else across the league.
"Ultimately, this is a meritocracy, and the best guy will play," Spytek explained. "It’s just really hard to play really well at a young age. But we’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks do it recently. We added Kirk, we have Aidan, and we’ll see how it goes."
The NFL Draft begins with the Raiders on the clock next Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Suspect arrested after housekeeper tied up, attacked in Massachusetts mansion heist
A suspect was arrested after a $20 million oceanfront Massachusetts mansion was broken into by two masked men, who allegedly attacked a housekeeper, tied her up and held her at gunpoint while reportedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in valuables.
Emajae Brown, 25, was charged with home invasion, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, witness intimidation, armed assault in a dwelling, larceny over $1,200, breaking into a building at nighttime with the intent to commit a felony, larceny of a motor vehicle and armed burglary.
Brown was taken into custody in Gloucester and prosecutors argued he was a danger to the community, according to Boston 25 News.
On the morning of March 28, a neighbor on Paine Avenue in Beverly, Massachusetts, called 911 to report a home invasion.
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Investigators learned that two armed suspects had broken into the mansion and assaulted and tied up a housekeeper who was inside the home before leaving with several valuable items. The housekeeper was the only person home at the time of the incident.
During the burglary, the suspects allegedly grabbed the housekeeper's phone and tossed it in the ocean, according to CBS Boston. They also allegedly made her find bleach and place valuable items in trash bags.
"What they did to my housekeeper was just horrendous," homeowner Thomas Swan III told WCVB last month after the heist.
"She was held at gunpoint, sometimes dragged by her hair, ultimately tied up and left in the garage. She’s really, really special, but truly traumatized by this, truly traumatized," he added.
After the suspects left, the housekeeper escaped and went to a neighbor’s home to call for help. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.
"She went on to tell investigators the suspect was pointing a firearm at her head and escorting her around the home," a prosecutor said in court on Tuesday, according to CBS Boston.
One robber fled the scene with several valuables, including money and gold, in a Porsche stolen from the home. That vehicle was later located by police several miles away near a cemetery in Lynn.
Ring cameras were able to locate Brown, who was tracked through phone surveillance to New York City, where he was allegedly meeting with a jewelry dealer, according to Boston 25 News.
Local and federal authorities eventually found more than $300,000 and numerous gold items in his car, the outlet reported.
Police also said Brown was the ex-boyfriend of another housekeeper who worked at the home. The prosecutor said they learned that Brown had an open domestic charge from an incident at the Encore Boston Harbor casino.
Brown was ordered held without bail until the next hearing on April 21.
US military kills four alleged narco-terrorists in lethal strike on drug-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific
The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
"On April 14, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," SOUTHCOM said in a post on X. "Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations."
"Four male narco-terrorists were killed during this action," SOUTHCOM said.
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No U.S. military forces were harmed, the command added.
SOUTHCOM did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved.
The strike came after SOUTHCOM said Monday that it conducted another strike in the Eastern Pacific, killing two individuals believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking.
The U.S. military has carried out dozens of strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Docs show migrant accused of killing Loyola student was flagged as flight risk before release
The House Judiciary Committee released internal Border Patrol documents on Tuesday, showing that a Venezuelan migrant now charged in the killing of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman was flagged as a flight risk and had no valid asylum claim before being released into the U.S. in 2023.
Jose Medina-Medina, 25, is accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Gorman in Chicago in March.
Fox News Digital previously reported that Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was apprehended at the southern border in 2023 and later released into the country under the Biden administration.
In a post on X, House Judiciary Republicans said the documents show officials released a migrant they described as dangerous despite warning signs.
"The subject is a native and citizen of Venezuela by virtue of birth," the document reads. "The subject is a migrant illegally present in the United States, have no immigration documents in their possession nor have or anyone else filed a petition on their behalf. Subject has close family ties or roots in this country yet are likely to abscond."
Additional records state the subject had no valid U.S. address or identification and was unable to provide a verifiable point of contact.
The documents also detail the circumstances of Medina-Medina’s apprehension at the border.
"A Border Patrol Agent encountered subject in the El Paso Border Patrol Sector area of responsibility," the document read. "A Border Patrol Agent determined this subject had unlawfully entered the United States from Mexico, at a time and place other than as designated by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security of the United States.
"After determining that the subject was an undocumented migrant who illegally entered the United States, the subject was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Center (CPC) in El Paso, Texas for further processing using the [redacted] Systems," the document continued. "The subject was asked and responded that they do not fear harm or persecution should they be returned to their native country."
Despite those findings, the documents show he was processed for a Notice to Appear and released on recognizance "due to lack of space," under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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Federal prosecutors on April 2 charged Medina-Medina with illegally possessing a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. In addition to the federal charge, he faces state-level charges including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a weapon.
Prosecutors said Gorman was with friends at a Rogers Park pier in the early morning hours of March 19 when she spotted Medina-Medina near a lighthouse and warned others. Authorities said Medina-Medina then chased the group and shot Gorman in the upper back as they fled.
In a statement after charges were filed, the Gorman family said, "Sheridan was a real person—she had a future, a family, and a life full of promise."
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Top United Nations Human Rights official points to reparations as the 'key to dismantling systemic racism'
A top United Nations (UN) official on Tuesday pointed to reparations as the "key to dismantling systemic racism."
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, applauded reparations efforts across the world while speaking at the fifth session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
The efforts that Türk lauded during his speech were "anti-discrimination laws, the creation of independent human rights and equality institutions and steps towards reparations."
Highlighting the "daily discrimination" people of African descent are facing in the workplace, hospitals, classrooms, and interactions with law enforcement, Türk claimed that the situations are "the direct legacy of colonialism and enslavement."
Türk called on Member States to take action, claiming that "Racism and dehumanising rhetoric" persists. Member States were asked to adopt "anti-racism laws, policies, and practices" to create more inclusive societies. The official reportedly also called on young people of African descent and members of civil society to "be included at all levels of decision-making and that "momentum towards reparatory justice should be maintained."
Türk’s comments came after the UN adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity and for member states to pursue reparations to rectify "historical wrongs"
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"The slave trade and slavery stand among the gravest violations of human rights in human history – an affront to the very principles enshrined in the Charter of our United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, themselves born, in part, from these injustices of the past," Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said.
The implementation of reparations has been a growing trend in the United States, spanning from the east to west coast.
Evanston, Illinois was the first local municipality to pass a reparations plan and then issue direct cash payments of $25,000 to local residents to address past racial housing discrimination.
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Not too far from Evanston, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is gearing up to issue reparations in some form after launching a community engagement effort called "Repair Chicago" to gather experiences of harm of Black residents. On the state level, the Illinois state commission is looking to implement reparations for Black residents after releasing a report that lays out what it called the state's history of harms against them in March.
Despite efforts to issue reparations, some of these programs are facing obstacles due to budgetary or legal pressures.