The illegal immigrant suspected of killing Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. He was later arrested and released, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Sunday.
Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old from Venezuela, had previous dealings with law enforcement, including an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago prior to the murder charge. He is currently isolated due to a possible infectious illness, which could be tuberculosis.
According to law enforcement, the shooting on Thursday appears to have been an ambush, with reports suggesting that the shooter was wearing a mask. Medina-Medina is believed to have been residing in Rogers Park, a neighborhood in Chicago.
Authorities have recovered a firearm they believe was used in the shooting and are waiting for gunshot residue test results. DHS stated that Medina-Medina was initially apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and subsequently released into the U.S. After being arrested again on June 19, 2023, for shoplifting, he was released once more.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has urged Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and city leaders not to release Medina-Medina. “Jose Medina-Medina was previously arrested and released for shoplifting in Chicago,” the DHS remarked. Acting Assistant Attorney General Lauren Biss expressed outrage, stating that this “cold-blooded killer” ended Gorman’s life.
“We’re asking Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary leaders not to return these criminal immigrants to our neighborhoods,” Biss added. ICE also emphasized the need for Illinois officials to honor the numerous illegal immigrant detainees in the state’s custody.
Sheridan Gorman, a freshman from New York, was tragically shot while walking with friends along a lake. The gunman approached and opened fire, striking Gorman in the head. Efforts to run away were futile; she was declared dead at the scene with no other injuries reported among her friends. Shortly after the shooting, the suspect was identified, as he appeared to move with a visible limp. The investigation continues.
In a related note, just a month before Medina-Medina’s detention, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified that “the border is secure,” a statement that has since drawn criticism.
Sheridan’s family expressed their heartbreak in a statement, underscoring the permanent impact of their loss. They described her as the heart of the family, someone who could unite people with her kindness and spirit. “Her life was taken, and our family will never be the same,” they lamented. The devastating impact of this incident resonates deeply within their community.
Councilwoman Maria Hadden commented on the situation, describing it as a case of being in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” She also sought to reassure the community that there was no broader threat and suggested that local youths were simply engaging in usual neighborhood activities.
