Accused Loyola Shooter Faces New Federal Gun Charge

Jose Medina charged with illegal firearm possession in addition to murder of student Sheridan Gorman.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun magazine loaded with ammunition, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigative nature of this crime story.The new federal gun charge against the accused Loyola shooter exposes the complex intersection of gun violence, immigration policies, and campus safety.Chicago Today

The man accused of fatally shooting Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman in Chicago now faces an additional federal gun charge. Jose Medina is already charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and other felonies for the March 19 incident where he allegedly approached Gorman and her friends and opened fire, killing Gorman. Investigators later found a gun matching the crime scene evidence in Medina's apartment.

Why it matters

The new federal gun charge adds to the legal troubles for Medina, an unauthorized migrant from Venezuela with a history of health issues and prior requests for deportation. The case has raised concerns about gun violence, immigration policies, and support for international students on U.S. campuses.

The details

Medina is accused of approaching Gorman and three of her friends as they were walking along the lakefront in Rogers Park around 1:30 a.m. on March 19 and opening fire, striking and killing Gorman. Investigators later found a gun in Medina's apartment that matched the casings from the crime scene. Medina, who was shot in the head during a robbery in Colombia in 2018, has a history of health issues including tuberculosis that he contracted after being bussed to Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

  • The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 19, 2026.
  • Medina is due back in court on April 15, 2026.

The players

Jose Medina

The accused shooter, an unauthorized migrant from Venezuela with a history of health issues including being shot in the head in Colombia and contracting tuberculosis after arriving in Chicago.

Sheridan Gorman

A Loyola University freshman who was fatally shot by Medina while walking with three friends along the lakefront in Rogers Park.

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What they’re saying

“While Medina was in detention in Texas following his entry to the U.S., he requested to be deported back to Colombia, but instead was bussed by Gov. Greg Abbott to Chicago.”

— Medina's attorney

What’s next

Medina is in Cook County custody but has been hospitalized for tuberculosis treatment. He was ordered detained at his last court appearance and is due back in court on April 15.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex intersection of gun violence, immigration policies, and support for international students on U.S. campuses. The new federal gun charge adds to Medina's legal troubles, raising questions about how the justice system will handle this unauthorized migrant with a history of health issues.