Trending Now - Venezuelan Migrant Charged in Loyola Student's Murder After Entry Under Biden

WHO:

Jose Medina-Medina, 25-year-old Venezuelan national, was identified as the suspect in the murder of Sheridan Gorman.

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, "We are calling on Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods."

Jose Medina-Medina was born in Venezuela and lived in a temporary migrant shelter at the Leone Beach Park Field House, which closed in 2024.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's office did not have an immediate comment regarding the incident.

Jose Medina-Medina faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis stated, "Gorman was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians."

Jose Medina-Medina is identified as a Venezuelan migrant who allegedly murdered Sheridan Gorman.

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated, "Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life."

Jose Medina-Medina, 25-year-old Venezuelan national

Sheridan Gorman, 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

WHAT:

Medina-Medina faces additional charges including three felony counts of aggravated assault with discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.

The DHS confirmed that Medina-Medina was first apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released into the U.S. during the Biden administration.

Medina-Medina was charged with misdemeanor retail theft for allegedly stealing $132.50 of merchandise from the State Street Macy’s.

An outstanding warrant from the shoplifting case against Medina-Medina is active.

Medina-Medina was charged for the March 19, 2026, attack near a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach.

Medina-Medina was accused of stealing $132.50 of merchandise from the State Street Macy’s during his shoplifting arrest.

Medina-Medina is being quarantined for a potentially contagious condition, possibly tuberculosis.

Investigators are awaiting the results of a gunshot residue test related to the recovered firearm.

Jose Medina-Medina is accused of murdering Sheridan Gorman.

Gorman was shot in the head while walking with friends.

Medina-Medina was previously arrested for shoplifting in Chicago.

DHS confirmed Medina-Medina was apprehended on May 9, 2023, and released into the U.S.

A firearm believed to be connected to the killing has been recovered.

ICE has lodged an arrest detainer for Medina-Medina.

WHERE:

The shooting occurred near a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach, Chicago, Illinois.

Loyola University Chicago, Rogers Park neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois

The shooting occurred along the Chicago lakefront.

WHEN:

The shooting occurred on March 19, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Medina-Medina was scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 27, 2026.

The shooting occurred on March 19, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Medina-Medina was scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 27, 2026.

The shooting occurred on March 19, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Medina-Medina was first apprehended on May 9, 2023.

Medina-Medina was arrested for shoplifting on June 19, 2023.

WHY:

Gorman's family expressed their disappointment in the immigration policies, stating, "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."

Gorman's family expressed disappointment in the policies that allowed Medina-Medina to remain in a position to commit the crime, stating, "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."

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary city leaders are being called upon by ICE not to release Medina-Medina.

The incident is part of broader concerns regarding sanctuary policies and illegal immigration.

HOW:

A police source indicated that the suspect was identified shortly after the shooting due to a distinct limp.

A police report indicated that a masked gunman "emerged from the shadows" and fired a single shot as Gorman and her friends fled.

A masked gunman "emerged from the shadows" and fired a single shot as Gorman and her friends fled.

A police source indicated that the suspect was identified shortly after the shooting due to a distinct limp.

The shooting was described as an apparent ambush, with the gunman wearing a mask or face covering.

The investigation is ongoing, with police sources indicating the suspect was identified due to a distinct limp.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 19:46 UTC)

A 25-year-old Venezuelan national named Jose Medina-Medina has been identified as the suspect in the murder of Sheridan Gorman, which occurred early last Monday. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis of the Department of Homeland Security has called on Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to prevent Medina-Medina from being released back into American neighborhoods, as he faces multiple felony charges including aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon. Medina-Medina, who was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in May 2023 and released during the Biden administration, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 27.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 15:35 UTC)

In a tragic incident on March 19, 2026, a masked gunman shot and killed a woman named Gorman as she and her friends attempted to escape the scene. Jose Medina-Medina, who was living in a temporary migrant shelter and has an active warrant for misdemeanor retail theft, has been charged in connection with the shooting. Gorman's family has expressed their disappointment in the systems that allowed Medina-Medina to be in a position to commit such a crime, highlighting the real and permanent consequences of these failures.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:38 UTC)

Jose Medina-Medina has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm following a shooting near a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago on March 19. During his arrest for shoplifting at Macy's, where he allegedly stole $132.50 worth of merchandise, he was identified as the gunman who fired a shot as Gorman and her friends fled the scene. Gorman's family has voiced their disappointment in the policies that allowed Medina-Medina to remain free, emphasizing the real consequences of systemic failures.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 03:58 UTC)

Jose Medina-Medina has been identified as the Venezuelan migrant accused of murdering Sheridan Gorman in a shooting that took place early last Monday. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis emphasized the tragedy of Gorman's death, stating she had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded act. Medina-Medina is currently being quarantined for a potentially contagious condition, and investigators are awaiting the results of a gunshot residue test connected to the firearm recovered at the scene.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 01:31 UTC)

In a tragic incident on March 19, 2026, 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman was shot in the head while walking with friends along the Chicago lakefront, and 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina has been accused of the murder. Medina-Medina, who was previously arrested for shoplifting in Chicago, was apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security in May 2023 and has since been the subject of an arrest detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The investigation continues as police sources indicate that the suspect, who allegedly ambushed Gorman while wearing a mask, was identified due to a distinct limp.