WireMarch 23, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Loading the next story…
A Venezuelan national accused of killing Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman entered the U.S. during the Biden administration and was released into the country after being apprehended, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Jose Medina-Medina, 25, was first detained by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and later released under current immigration policies. He was subsequently arrested in Chicago on June 19, 2023, for shoplifting but released again prior to the alleged murder.
The fatal shooting occurred Thursday on Chicago’s lakefront, where Gorman, a freshman from Westchester County, New York, was shot in the head while attempting to flee. Police sources described the attack as an ambush, with the gunman reportedly wearing a mask or face covering. Investigators have recovered a firearm linked to the crime and are awaiting gunshot residue test results.
Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "We are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.
DHS confirmed that Medina-Medina is currently quarantined for a potentially contagious condition, possibly tuberculosis. ICE has lodged an arrest detainer and urged Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary city leaders to ensure he is not released back into the community. The agency also highlighted broader concerns, noting that ICE has repeatedly called on Illinois officials to honor detainers for thousands of criminal illegal aliens in state custody.
Gorman’s family issued a statement expressing their profound grief, describing her as the heart of their family and a beacon of kindness and inclusion. The incident underscores ongoing debates over sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety, particularly in cities like Chicago.