Venezuelan illegal alien released under Biden admin arrested over fatal shooting of Loyola University student near Chicago campus

According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, the 25-year-old suspect, who was wearing a mask when he gunned down 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman of Westchester County, New York. Gorman was walking with her friends shortly after 1:30 am on Thursday along Chicago’s lakefront when the gunman approached the group, pulled out a weapon, and opened fire, striking her in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Chicago Police Department, no other injuries were reported. The suspect was reportedly identified just minutes after the shooting due to a “distinct limp.”

The Department of Homeland Security later identified the suspect as Venezuelan national Jose Medina-Medina. He was caught and then released at the border under the Biden administration in May 2023. That same year, Medina-Medina was also released from local custody following a shoplifting arrest in Chicago, which is a sanctuary city.

“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,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis in a statement. “We are calling on Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.”

Loyola University Chicago President Mark C. Reed issued a letter to students on Thursday addressing the death, writing, “This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her."

The shooting marks the latest act of violence in Chicago involving an illegal immigrant. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order last year prohibiting the use of city property for federal immigration operations. The mayor said at the time, “We will not tolerate ICE agents violating our residents’ constitutional rights nor will we allow the federal government to disregard our local authority.”