The Venezuelan immigrant accused of killing Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman was found with a weapon hidden in his pants at the Chicago jail where he is awaiting trial.
Arrest at Cook County Jail
Jose Medina-Medina, 26, was caught with a six-inch shank during a pat-down on Thursday morning. The weapon was described by jail officials as a sharpened piece of metal with a handle made from medical tape.
He was charged with possession of contraband in a penal institution by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. It is unclear what Medina planned to do with the shank before it was discovered.
The Murder Case
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old freshman from Yorktown Heights, New York, was fatally shot on March 19 while walking near the Loyola University campus to see the northern lights with friends. Medina allegedly approached the group wearing a mask and fired a single shot, striking Gorman in the back.
Medina was arrested on March 23 and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. He has been held without bond since his arrest and has pleaded not guilty. In Illinois, where the death penalty was abolished in 2011, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Medina’s Background
Medina’s defense attorney stated that he is cognitively challenged due to a previous gunshot wound to the head during a robbery in Colombia. The injury reportedly removed part of his brain and forced him to relearn basic functions such as walking and talking. His lawyer described his current brain development as similar to that of a child.
Family Reaction
Sheridan Gorman’s parents have expressed anger over policies that allowed Medina to enter the United States illegally in 2019 and remain free before committing the murder. They called for changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future and highlighted the role of existing policies in contributing to their daughter’s death.
