Crime & Law
Man Accused of Killing Loyola Freshman Found With a Shank Inside Jail: Sheriff’s Office
The Cook County Jail is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News)
The man charged in the murder of a Loyola University student is facing new felony charges after he was found with a shank while in custody at Cook County Jail, the Cook County Sheriff’s office announced Friday.
Jose Medina will face new felony charges of contraband possession in a penal institution after jail staff allegedly found a shank in his possession.
Staff at the Cook County Jail found “a sharpened piece of metal with a handle fashioned out of medical tape” in Medina’s pants pocket during a search the morning of May 28, according to the sheriff’s office.
An image of the weapon Cook County Sheriff's office staff say they found on Jose Medina. (Credit: Cook County Sheriff's Office)
Medina was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman on March 19. Federal prosecutors additionally charged Medina with illegal possession of a firearm.
That shooting took place around midnight at Tobey Prinz Beach in Rogers Park.
According to prosecutors, Gorman and five friends walked to the beach to take photos of the skyline, where Gorman encountered Medina at a pier wearing all black with a ski mask. As Gorman walked back to alert her friends, Medina allegedly pulled out a gun and fired once, killing Gorman.
The case gained national attention amid accusations from the Department of Homeland Security that Medina, who is from Venezuela, entered the country illegally. Both Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Donald Trump have commented on the case.
Medina has been in jail custody since March 23 awaiting trial. During a virtual hearing on March 27, Medina’s public defender made the request to keep him in Cook County Jail custody.
At that hearing, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke said “Our office is committed to seeking justice for Sheridan and holding the defendant fully accountable as we prosecute this case to the fullest extent.”
Matt Masterson contributed to this report.
