Suspect in slaying of Loyola University student was in the country illegally, officials say

Illegally Present in the U.S., Suspect Linked to Loyola University Student’s Murder

Authorities in Chicago confirmed that the individual accused of fatally shooting a Loyola University student while she was socializing with friends near her campus was in the country without proper legal status. The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. on Thursday at Tobey Prinz Beach Park, just under a mile from the university, according to police reports.

Jose Medina, 25, was arrested on Friday night and charged with murder, attempted murder, and multiple gun-related offenses in connection with the killing of Sheridan Gorman, 18, who hailed from Yorktown Heights, New York. Medina’s legal status had been previously challenged when he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and released, as noted in a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

Medina was granted another opportunity to remain in the country on June 19, 2023, after being arrested for shoplifting in Chicago. This latest release came despite his prior immigration status being in question. A DHS spokesperson, Lauren Bis, remarked that the situation reflects a failure of open border policies and sanctuary initiatives, stating, “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,” said Gorman’s family in a statement.

As of Monday, it was unclear whether Medina had secured legal representation to address his case. The incident could reignite discussions on immigration policy, echoing the national conversation sparked by the 2024 murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. The suspect in her case, Venezuelan citizen Jose Antonio Ibarra, had illegally entered the U.S. near El Paso in 2022, according to authorities.

The Trump administration has repeatedly cited Riley’s case to justify mass deportations and anti-immigration measures. However, her family has urged that her name not be used as a political symbol, expressing concern over the public debate it has triggered. “I’d rather her not be such a political, how you say — it started a storm in our country,” Jason Riley, her father, told NBC’s “TODAY” show a month after the tragedy.