Man Charged With Murder In Loyola Student's Killing: Police

CHICAGO — Chicago police on Sunday announced charges against the man who is believed to have killed 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman.

Jose Medina is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon without a firearm owner's identification card, and three counts of aggravated assault, police said.

Gorman was killed around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, while walking with friends in the 1000 block of West Pratt Boulevard, north of campus in the area of multiple Lake Michigan beaches, according to police. A man approached on foot and opened fire, shooting Gorman in the head, police said.

Medina, 25, lives just steps from the scene in the 6800 block of North Sheridan Road, according to police. He was arrested around 9 p.m. Friday in the area of his home and is scheduled for a detention hearing Monday, police said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an arrest detainer requesting Medina not be released, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday. Medina is from Venezuela, according to the department, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released into the U.S. in May 2023, before being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Chicago and released in June 2023.

Gorman, who was from Yorktown Heights, New York, and attended Yorktown High School, had “a rare and unmistakable warmth, a spirit that was vibrant, compassionate, and full of life,” according to her obituary.

“Though her life was far too short, Sheridan’s impact is immeasurable,” the obituary said. “She will forever be remembered as a bright, beautiful soul whose love continues to shine in all who knew her.”