Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old unauthorized immigrant, entered a not guilty plea in response to charges of murdering Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old student from Loyola University Chicago, during his arraignment on Wednesday.
Medina-Medina was arrested on March 19 on suspicion of Gorman’s death. He reportedly entered the U.S. illegally from Venezuela this year and was previously arrested but later released by the Biden administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
At the arraignment, Medina-Medina faced various charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm, along with federal charges concerning illegal gun possession.
After the hearing, Gorman’s father, Thomas, described his child’s death as “not just a senseless tragedy but something preventable.” He noted that existing laws weren’t enforced effectively to avoid such incidents, emphasizing the profound void left in their lives. “There’s an empty seat at the table,” he shared, capturing the daily reality of his loss.
Sheridan’s mother, Jessica, remembered her daughter as “beautiful inside and out,” vowing that they would seek justice for her.
Prosecutors indicated that, on the night of the incident, Gorman and her friends were at Rogers Park when they encountered Medina-Medina. After Gorman alerted her friends about Medina, he allegedly pursued them and shot her in the back as they attempted to escape. They later found Gorman unresponsive after hiding.
Video evidence showed Medina-Medina lingering in the apartment lobby after the shooting, which facilitated his identification. He was arrested at his Rogers Park home.
A former Chicago Police chief remarked that the video footage presented a compelling case against Medina-Medina, allowing the evidence to speak for itself.
Interestingly, Medina-Medina’s lawyer mentioned that he had suffered a serious head injury in Colombia, leading to significant health challenges, including developmental difficulties and ongoing medical issues. His lawyer also stated he had contracted tuberculosis while staying in a migrant shelter.
In addition to a previous shoplifting arrest in which he allegedly stole over $130 worth of goods from Macy’s, Medina-Medina did not attend his court hearings related to that case. Consequently, an active warrant existed until the murder charges were filed.
