U.S. Department of Homeland Security Reports Murder Suspect Was Twice Released Under Illinois Sanctuary Policies

Jose Medina-Medina, accused of killing Sheridan Gorman, was released twice by authorities before the shooting. DHS calls for an end to Illinois sanctuary policies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 4:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Dallas Express

Federal Authorities Detail Previous Law Enforcement Encounters

New data released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveals a timeline of missed opportunities to detain the man now accused of the first-degree murder of a Loyola University student. According to federal records, Jose Medina-Medina was first apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, but was subsequently released into the interior of the country. A second encounter occurred on June 19, 2023, when Chicago authorities arrested him for shoplifting; however, due to the city's standing as a sanctuary jurisdiction, he was again released despite his immigration status.

Masked Ambush and Fatal Shooting at Rogers Park

The details of the March 19 attack describe a cold-blooded assault on a group of students in a public park. Investigators allege that Medina-Medina approached Sheridan Gorman while wearing a mask and brandishing a firearm. As the 18-year-old freshman attempted to flee the confrontation, the suspect reportedly opened fire, striking her in the torso. Emergency responders pronounced Gorman dead at the scene, marking a violent end to what her friends described as a peaceful morning walk.

DHS Calls for Cessation of "ICE-Free Zones" Policy

In the wake of the arrest, Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a sharp directive to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago municipal leaders. The DHS is advocating for an immediate end to "ICE-free zones"—designated city spaces where federal immigration enforcement is restricted from operating without a specific judicial warrant. Federal officials argue that these policies have directly enabled individuals with criminal tendencies to remain in American neighborhoods, with Bis stating that the victim’s "whole life was ahead of her" before the system failed to hold her alleged killer.