Illegal Immigrant Charged in Murder of Chicago College Student

Authorities say the suspect had been arrested twice before but released under Biden administration policies

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:38pm

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A 25-year-old Venezuelan national, Jose Medina-Medina, has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault in the shooting death of 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago. Authorities say Medina-Medina had been arrested twice before in 2023 but was released back into the U.S. under the Biden administration, despite failing to show up for a court appearance.

Why it matters

The case has sparked outrage over the policies that allowed the suspect to remain in the country despite prior arrests, with the Gorman family criticizing the responses of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. It also comes as some state lawmakers are pushing to ban the use of facial recognition technology, which police say helped crack the case.

The details

According to police, Medina-Medina was arrested and charged in connection with the March 19 shooting that killed Gorman and injured her friends as they were walking near the Chicago lakefront. The Department of Homeland Security says Medina-Medina was apprehended by Border Patrol in May 2023 and released into the U.S., and was later arrested for shoplifting in Chicago but released on bond and failed to show up for court.

  • On March 19, 2026, Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot while walking with friends near the Chicago lakefront.
  • In May 2023, Jose Medina-Medina was apprehended by Border Patrol and released into the U.S.
  • Shortly after, Medina-Medina was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago but released on bond and failed to show up for court.

The players

Jose Medina-Medina

A 25-year-old Venezuelan national charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault in the shooting death of Sheridan Gorman.

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University student who was fatally shot while walking near the Chicago lakefront.

JB Pritzker

The Democratic governor of Illinois who has faced criticism for his response to Gorman's murder.

Brandon Johnson

The Democratic mayor of Chicago who has also faced criticism for his response to Gorman's murder.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Sheridan Gorman's family

“What the hell is wrong with these people when this happens? How can you with a straight face look your constituents in the eye and say, 'This is the perfect time for me to outlaw the use of cameras and biometric technology even though I know it helped solve this murder?'”

— Raymond Lopez, Chicago Alderman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jose Medina-Medina out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns about repeat offenders being released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety, and whether special laws are needed to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.