Illegal Migrant Charged with Murdering Loyola Student in Chicago

Jose Medina, 25, allegedly executed 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman while she was walking along the pier at Chicago's Tobey Prinz Beach.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:54am

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An illegal Venezuelan migrant who entered the US under the Biden administration was charged with murdering a Loyola University Chicago freshman from New York during a walk at the Windy City's lakefront. Jose Medina, 25, allegedly gunned down 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman while she was walking along the pier at Chicago's Tobey Prinz Beach on Thursday morning.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about immigration policies and sanctuary city laws, as well as the tragic impact of violent crime on young lives and local communities.

The details

Medina allegedly approached Gorman and her friends while wearing a mask around 1:30 a.m. Thursday and shot her in the head while she was attempting to flee. Medina was originally detained at the border in May 2023 but was released into the US. He was also arrested and released for shoplifting from Macy's in Chicago that same year.

  • On March 23, 2026, Jose Medina, 25, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault/discharge of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.
  • On May 2023, Medina was originally detained at the border but was released into the US.
  • In 2023, Medina was arrested and released for shoplifting from Macy's in Chicago.

The players

Jose Medina

A 25-year-old illegal Venezuelan migrant who was charged with murdering Sheridan Gorman.

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman from New York who was gunned down while walking along the Chicago lakefront.

Lauren Bis

The DHS Acting Assistant Secretary who condemned Chicago's sanctuary city laws that led to Medina's release.

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What they’re saying

“[Gorman] was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who released this illegal alien twice before he went on to commit this heinous murder.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary

“We are calling on Governor 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 Tuesday whether or not to allow Jose Medina out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform and stronger policies to protect public safety, especially in sanctuary cities, in order to prevent such senseless acts of violence.