OAN Staff Lillian Mann
6:30 PM – Tuesday, July 7, 2026
The man accused of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman has returned to court just one day after what would have been Gorman’s 19th birthday.
Gorman was fatally shot on March 19th while walking along the Lake Michigan lakefront near Loyola University campus in Chicago, Illinois. Authorities said a masked gunman then opened fire, striking the 18-year-old in the back. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Illegal alien Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national, was arrested two days after the shooting and returned to court on Tuesday to face charges in connection with the murder.
During the hearing, the court addressed three separate cases involving the 25-year-old. Authorities reported that Medina had recently suffered a seizure, and he appeared in the courtroom using a cane.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wrote on an X post Tuesday that Gorman was “failed by sanctuary politicians,” citing Medina’s two prior releases before he allegedly killed her.
“Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before she was brutally murdered by a cold-blooded illegal alien killer,” the DHS said on X. “She was FAILED by sanctuary politicians who released her murderer TWO TIMES before he committed this heinous murder. We are committed to delivering justice for Sheridan’s family as we fight to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities.”
On Monday, what would have been their daughter’s 19th birthday, Jessica and Thomas Gorman appeared on Martha MacCallum’s “The Story” on Fox News to share a message.
“Please help us honor Sheridan and all the other angels killed by illegal immigrants by living boldly, by speaking truthfully and loving extravagantly, and choosing American lives today and always,” Jessica, the deceased’s mother, said.
Medina was previously charged on April 2nd with illegal possession of a firearm by a non-lawful resident. On May 28th, he faced an additional felony contraband charge after Cook County Jail staff allegedly discovered a six-inch homemade knife in his pants during a routine search.
On March 22nd, Medina was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with Gorman’s death.
The DHS further stated that Medina had been released twice under the Biden administration, including a release after shoplifting in Chicago, according to WGN.
Tuesday’s court appearance also follows the emotional testimony of Gorman’s mother, who spoke on Capitol Hill on June 20th. Testifying that her daughter’s death was entirely preventable, Jessica pleaded for much tougher consequences for illegal aliens who commit violent crimes.
While Gorman’s family did not appear at Tuesday’s hearing, they were present at last month’s court hearing. Medina’s next court date is scheduled for July 27th, according to WGN.
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