Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed questions about the city’s immigration policies following the arrest of Jose Medina, an illegal immigrant accused of killing 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman. Medina, a Venezuelan national, was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting that occurred near Tobey Prinz Beach on Thursday.
Details of the Incident and Arrest
Medina was apprehended at his apartment in the Rogers Park neighborhood after police linked surveillance footage showing a man with a distinctive limp fleeing the scene. According to the arrest report, Medina was seen shortly after the 1:06 a.m. shooting walking through the vicinity and entering his apartment building. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed Medina’s identity through a police database.
Medina was initially detained by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and subsequently released into the United States under policies implemented during the Biden administration. He had been residing in a city-sponsored migrant shelter in Rogers Park, which closed in 2024.
Mayor Johnson’s Response and Political Reactions
At his first public comments on the case, Mayor Johnson expressed condolences to Gorman’s family and emphasized the city’s long-standing “welcoming city” ordinance, enacted 40 years ago. He referenced the Safe-T Act—a state law affecting public safety—as separate from the immigration policies under scrutiny.
Johnson declined to apologize for Chicago’s immigration policies when directly challenged by reporters, calling the incident a case of “senseless violence.” He also criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of deflecting responsibility.
The Gorman family issued a statement expressing “grave disappointment” with policies that allowed Medina to remain in the country, highlighting systemic failures related to his release and the lack of coordination among agencies.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.
