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Accused Killer of Loyola Student Faces New Felony After Jail Knife Discovery

The recovery of a 6-inch shank from Jose Medina drew family outrage and prompted renewed scrutiny of his immigration and detention history.

Overview

  • Prosecutors say Jose Medina fatally shot Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman on March 19, 2026, and he is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and related weapons counts.
  • Cook County Jail staff found a makeshift 6-inch shank on Medina in late May, and the sheriff’s office has added a contraband-in-jail felony to his pending state charges.
  • Medina’s public defenders say he suffers brain damage from a prior gunshot wound in Colombia and argue it affects his capacity, a claim the Gorman family strongly rejects.
  • Investigators recovered a .40-caliber handgun at Medina’s residence that prosecutors say preliminarily links to the shooting, and federal firearms authorities have lodged a separate charge tied to the case.
  • The discovery has amplified calls from the victim’s family and federal officials for tighter immigration and detention controls, and Medina remains jailed with a return court date set for July 7, 2026.