A man from Venezuela, accused of killing Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University student, has been found with a weapon while in custody. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office reported that jail staff discovered a 6-inch shank on Thursday in the possession of Jose Medina.
Officers conducted a search of Medina, 26, and uncovered a sharpened metal piece with a medical tape handle in his pants pocket. This led to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approving a new felony charge against Medina for possessing contraband in a penal institution.
Medina faces charges in the shooting death of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman. The incident occurred on March 19 at Tobey Prinz Beach in Rogers Park. Medina has been held since March 23 and has pleaded not guilty.
Gorman was with friends near the pier when she noticed Medina behind a lighthouse. Prosecutors explained she alerted her friends about his presence before he allegedly started chasing them. As Gorman attempted to flee, Medina shot her in the back, according to the authorities. Her friends fled and later found her unresponsive.
An arrest report reveals Medina was seen on video surveillance soon after the shooting, inside his apartment lobby, without a mask. A building engineer identified Medina due to his distinctive limp and gait.
Before the alleged murder, Medina had been arrested for shoplifting and later released. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed his previous encounter at the southern border in 2023, where he was flagged as a flight risk and had no valid asylum claim. Despite this, he was released into the U.S. under current policies.
Medina lacked a valid U.S. address or identification and didn’t provide a verifiable contact point. His next court appearance is set for June 1.
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