COOK COUNTY, IL –A man facing murder charges in the shooting death of a Loyola University student is facing new charges after Cook County Jail correctional officers allegedly found him in possession of a 6-inch shank in his cell.
Jose Medina, 26, is facing possession of contraband in a penal institution. The charges were announced Friday.
Around 8 a.m. Thursday, correctional officers learned that Medina may be in possession of a weapon. Correctional officers searched him and recovered a sharpened piece of metal with a handle fashioned out of medical tape from his pants pocket, the sheriff said.
The Venezuelan national has been in custody since March 23. Medina is charged in the slaying of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, who was shot to death on March 19 at a Rogers Park beach.
The Cook County State’s Attorney approved the new felony charge on Friday.
Medina is scheduled to appear in court on June 1 at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in connection with the pending murder case.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Chicago, IL Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.