In a tragic development that has shaken the Loyola University community, the suspect charged with the murder of freshman Sheridan Gorman is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing this Friday in Chicago.

Sheridan Gorman’s life was tragically cut short last week when she and her friends were confronted by a man identified by police as Jose Medina. The encounter took place at Tobey Prinz Beach, near the pier in Rogers Park. Eyewitnesses report that Medina, clad entirely in black and wearing a mask, suddenly brandished a firearm and began shooting into the group, fatally wounding Gorman in the neck.

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The Department of Homeland Security has revealed that Medina is an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Records indicate that he entered the United States illegally in 2023 and was previously apprehended in Chicago for shoplifting. However, Medina failed to appear for his court date regarding that charge, compounding his legal troubles.

Now, facing serious allegations of first-degree murder and weapons charges, Medina did not attend his initial court hearing earlier this week. As the legal proceedings continue, the community and Gorman’s loved ones await justice for the senseless act that claimed the promising young student’s life.

Court records also show that Medina never showed up to court for that retail theft charge. He is now facing first degree murder and weapon charges.

Medina was not in court for his initial hearing earlier this week.

The court was told that he was at the hospital for tuberculosis. A judge ordered him to be detained pending Friday’s hearing.

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