Man Charged In Loyola Student's Slaying Hid Near Lakefront, Shot At Students As They Fled: Officials Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old first-year student at Loyola University Chicago, was fatally shot after a man opened fire on a group of students fleeing from him near the Rogers Park lakefront, authorities said. Jose Medina, 25, was charged with murder on Sunday, according to officials. The incident occurred early Thursday as Gorman and her friends were on a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Loyola Park, a few blocks from the university’s campus. Medina, who was apprehended by Border Patrol in 2023 but allowed into the U.S., hid near the pier and chased the group after Gorman noticed someone hiding. He shot her in the back as she tried to run, killing her at the scene. Medina, a Venezuelan national, lived in the 6800 block of North Sheridan Road, near the shooting location. Police obtained a search warrant for his apartment and found clothing, shoes, and a 40-caliber handgun wrapped in a black facemask, which matched the weapon used in the attack. He was also charged with attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Medina’s court appearance was delayed due to his hospitalization with tuberculosis. The Department of Homeland Security filed an arrest detainer against him, requesting he not be released from custody for potential deportation. Gorman’s friends managed to hide in the grass near the pier as Medina ran back to his apartment. They described him as wearing mostly black, including a black face mask. A GoFundMe campaign started by her hometown community raised over $130,000 for her family, with funds intended for memorials and a potential scholarship in her honor.#border_patrol #sheridan_gorman #jose_medina #loyola_university_chicago #tobey_prinz_beach
Man Charged With Murder of Loyola Student Sheridan Gorman A Venezuelan migrant has been charged with the murder of 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman, according to Chicago police. Jose Medina, 25, faces first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm charges for the March 19 attack near Tobey Prinz Beach in Rogers Park. The incident occurred when a masked gunman emerged from the shadows and fired a single shot as Gorman and her friends fled the area. She was shot in the torso and pronounced dead at the scene. Federal immigration authorities stated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an arrest detainer for Medina hours before the charges were announced. Medina was previously detained by the U.S. Border Patrol in May 2023 for shoplifting, accused of stealing $132.50 from a Macy’s store on State Street. County court records show he was charged with misdemeanor retail theft but released. An outstanding warrant from that case remains active. Medina, who was born in Venezuela, resided in a temporary migrant shelter at Leone Beach Park Field House before it closed in 2024. He was among thousands of migrants who arrived in Chicago, many transported by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in protest of former President Joe Biden’s border policies. Trump administration officials criticized Illinois’ sanctuary state policies, with Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis claiming Gorman was “failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians.” Bis urged Gov. JB Pritzker to not release Medina, who was set to make his first court appearance. Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond. Illinois’ TRUST Act, signed by former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, restricts cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.#sheridan_gorman #jose_medina #loyola_university_chicago #tobey_prinz_beach #chicago_police
