Rare Reason Keeps Illegal Alien Suspect In Loyola Student Slaying From Facing Court

The first court appearance for the illegal immigrant accused of murdering Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman last Thursday was delayed after he was hospitalized with tuberculosis, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Jose Medina-Medina, 25, allegedly approached the college freshman wearing a black mask around 1 a.m. and fired one round as she tried to run. Gorman’s family said the 18-year-old student was walking with friends to see the Northern Lights when she was fatally shot.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed Sunday that Medina crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in May 2023 and was subsequently released into the country. He then ended up in Chicago, where he allegedly shoplifted from a local Macy’s in June 2023, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A judge issued a warrant for Medina’s arrest after he failed to show up for his hearing in that case, the outlet reported.

Authorities identified Medina as the suspect in Gorman’s murder after identifying his “distinct limp,” the Tribune reported. He was seen without his mask in surveillance video taken after the shooting inside an apartment building.

Gorman’s family said that the suspect should never have been out on the streets.

“We are gravely disappointed by the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime,” they said. “When systems fail — whether through release decisions, lack of coordination, or unwillingness to act — the consequences are not abstract. They are real. And in our case, they are permanent.”

President Donald Trump gave his first statement on Gorman’s killing while speaking with The Daily Wire on Monday.

“It’s devastating. These people were let in by Biden. We’re getting them out. We’re getting them out fast. That’s why ICE is so important. They are doing such a good job,” Trump told Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan, who was part of the presidential press pool. “This animal, I saw the whole thing last night. They gave me a briefing.”

“This person came in through the open-door policy of Joe Biden. We’re taking them out by the tens of thousands. We’re doing a great job. It’s a shame. They’ve hurt our country,” Trump said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer with local authorities, which is not expected to yield any action due to sanctuary laws.

“Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life. She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien TWICE before he went on to commit this heinous murder,” Acting Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Sunday.

“We are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods,” Bis added.

Pritzker’s office released its first statement on Gorman’s killing Tuesday afternoon.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and Loyola University community grieving the senseless murder of Sheridan Gorman. Violent crime has no place in our streets, and we expect the alleged perpetrator to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” a spokesperson for Pritzker told The Daily Wire.

“The Trump Administration needs to stop politicizing heinous tragedies and instead focus on real solutions, like reinstating federal funds to prevent violence that support our public safety efforts,” the spokesperson added.

Medina faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder in the first degree, three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Tribune.