Loyola student’s killer had murder weapon wrapped in a ski mask at his home: prosecutors

A tragic incident unfolded at Loyola Beach in the early hours of March 19, resulting in the untimely death of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University. The perpetrator behind this heinous act is identified as Jose Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national who authorities claim is residing in the United States without legal status. Medina, who is currently receiving treatment for tuberculosis in a jail hospital, appeared remotely in a Cook County courtroom where he was ordered to be detained.

The sequence of events leading to Gorman’s death paints a chilling picture. Gorman and five of her friends decided to take a leisurely walk to the lakefront after hanging out in a dormitory. As they reached the pier at Loyola Beach, Gorman encountered Medina, who was dressed entirely in black and brandishing a handgun. Startled, Gorman tried to warn her friends discreetly before Medina emerged from behind the light beacon and fired a single shot, fatally striking her.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Gorman’s friends managed to escape and hide in different locations along the beach. Two of them called 911 while observing Medina pacing on the pier before fleeing the scene. The students found Gorman unresponsive and bleeding, leading to her eventual transport to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. A .40-caliber shell casing was recovered at the shooting site, linking the crime to the firearm found in Medina’s possession.

Surveillance footage from Medina’s apartment building provided crucial evidence of his involvement in the crime. He was captured leaving the building before the shooting wearing a ski mask and gloves, matching the description provided by witnesses. Further video evidence tracked his movements before and after the incident, showcasing his distinct gait and clothing that matched the attire worn during the shooting.

Upon executing a search warrant at Medina’s residence, law enforcement officers discovered a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun hidden in a cabinet near his bed. Additional clothing items resembling those worn by Medina during the shooting were also recovered, solidifying the case against him. Despite Medina’s denial of leaving his apartment at the time of the incident, his identification in surveillance images and the high-confidence ballistics match incriminate him in Gorman’s murder.

Medina’s legal troubles extend beyond the fatal shooting, as he also faces charges related to an active arrest warrant for misdemeanor retail theft from 2023. In addition to first-degree murder, he is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. The court granted the state’s detention petition, ensuring that Medina remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.

The tragic loss of Sheridan Gorman serves as a stark reminder of the senseless violence that can shatter lives in an instant. As the legal process unfolds, justice must be served for Gorman and her loved ones who are grappling with the devastating aftermath of this senseless act.