Accused Chicago Murderer Reportedly Illiterate, Brain-Damaged

Illegal immigrant charged with killing Loyola student Sheridan Gorman has history of violence, attorney claims.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:20pm

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The illegal immigrant accused of murdering 18-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago is illiterate, developmentally disabled, and missing parts of his brain and skull after being shot in the head years ago, his attorney claims. Authorities charged Venezuelan national Jose Medina-Medina with first-degree murder after he allegedly shot Gorman in a park, but his lawyer says he has the mental capacity of a 7-year-old and cannot read or write.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the Biden administration's immigration policies and whether proper vetting procedures were followed before allowing the suspect to enter the country, given his history of violence and apparent mental health issues. It also highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and repeat offenders in Chicago.

The details

Medina-Medina, who is either 25 or 26 years old, was shot in the head in 2018 in South America, leaving him with bullet fragments in his brain and a portion of his skull missing. His attorney claims this has left him developmentally delayed, unable to read or write, and with the mental capacity of a 7-year-old. Prosecutors say they have video evidence showing Medina-Medina, wearing a mask and gloves, hiding behind a lighthouse on Lake Michigan and shooting Gorman in the back, killing her almost instantly. Medina-Medina had no prior connection to Gorman, a Loyola University Chicago student.

  • Medina-Medina was shot in the head in 2018 in South America.
  • Medina-Medina crossed the U.S. southern border and turned himself in to authorities in Texas in 2023.
  • Medina-Medina was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago in June 2023 but was released.
  • Medina-Medina allegedly murdered Sheridan Gorman on March 19, 2026.

The players

Jose Medina-Medina

A 25- or 26-year-old Venezuelan national accused of murdering 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman. Medina-Medina is illiterate, developmentally disabled, and missing parts of his brain and skull after being shot in the head in 2018.

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student who was allegedly murdered by Medina-Medina while she was at a Chicago park with friends.

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What they’re saying

“He is now developmentally delayed, has the education of a seven-year-old, and can't read and write.”

— Alex Caprariello, NewsNation national correspondent

“So we imported an illiterate, developmentally disabled, diseased gang banger from the third world and allowed him to stay after he committed crimes?”

— Gerry Callahan, Newsmax podcast host

What’s next

Medina-Medina's pretrial detention hearing was postponed after he was hospitalized for tuberculosis he caught while in a migrant shelter. He is still being treated as of his most recent court appearance.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights ongoing concerns about the vetting process for immigrants with histories of violence and mental health issues, as well as the challenges of balancing public safety with compassionate immigration policies. It also raises questions about repeat offenders and the criminal justice system's ability to protect vulnerable members of the community.