Undocumented Immigrant Charged in Loyola University Chicago Student's Killing

DHS says suspect had been arrested and released twice before the fatal shooting

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An undocumented immigrant from Venezuela has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student, who was shot and killed near the university's campus in March 2026. The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect, Jose Medina, had been apprehended and released twice before the incident.

Why it matters

The case has sparked outrage over immigration policies, with Gorman's family and the Department of Homeland Security criticizing 'open border policies and sanctuary politicians' for allowing the suspect to remain in the country despite previous arrests.

The details

According to police, Gorman was walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach Park, less than a mile from Loyola's Lake Shore campus, in the early hours of March 19 when a man, later identified as Jose Medina, approached the group and shot Gorman. Medina has been charged with first-degree murder and is due at a detention hearing on Monday.

  • Gorman was shot and killed on March 19, 2026.
  • Medina was arrested on Friday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student who was shot and killed near the university's campus.

Jose Medina

An undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who has been charged with the first-degree murder of Sheridan Gorman.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that has lodged an arrest detainer on Medina and is pushing for him to be kept behind bars.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“She had her entire life ahead of her — her education, her future, her family, the countless lives she would have touched. All of that was taken in a moment.”

— Gorman's family

“We are gravely disappointed by the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime. When systems fail — whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act — the consequences are not abstract. They are real. And in our case, they are permanent.”

— Gorman's family

“She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians. We are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago's sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Monday whether or not to allow Jose Medina to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case has reignited the debate over immigration policies, with Gorman's family and the Department of Homeland Security criticizing 'open border policies and sanctuary politicians' for allowing the suspect to remain in the country despite previous arrests. The outcome of Medina's detention hearing on Monday will be closely watched.