18-Year-Old Loyola Student Killed Near Campus; Suspect Arrested, Family Says ‘Justice Must Be Served’

The family of an 18-year-old student at Loyola University Chicago, who was shot and killed near campus has called for the case to be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of both state and federal law.”

Her family identified the student as Sheridan Gorman. Gorman was shot and killed by a male suspect later identified as Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old man.

Medina-Medina was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting, including the first-degree murder of Gorman.

“This is not justice….it is just the first step towards it,” Gorman’s family said.

“Sheridan was 18. She had her entire life ahead of her - her education, her future, her family and the countless lives she would have touched. All of that was taken in a moment, and there is no way to repair that loss,” the family said.

The incident occurred on March 19 at around 1:30 am, when authorities responded to a report of a shooting, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

Gorman and her friends were walking near Tobey Prinz Beach Park, less than a mile from the university’s Lake Shore campus when a male suspect, later identified as Medina-Medina, approached them. The suspect then took out a gun and opened fire on the group. Gorman was shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene by responding officers, according to CPD.

No one else was injured, police said.

In a statement, Gorman’s family said, “Sheridan was the light of our lives. She made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was. She lived her faith with kindness, compassion, and joy, and loved her family and friends deeply."

“We trusted that she would be safe. That trust was broken,” the family said. “Someone made a deliberate choice that stole our daughter and forever changed our family. We are demanding answers, and we will not stop until the person responsible is brought to justice.”

Loyola University Chicago President Mark Reed said in a statement, “This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her.”

Reed also said the university is offering counseling services and is in touch with law enforcement. “Based on the information available to us now, there is no ongoing threat to our campus,” Reed said.