Man charged in Loyola student's murder caught with weapon at Cook County Jail, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man accused of fatally shooting a Loyola University student at a North Side beach back in March was caught with a weapon while in custody, police said.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office said Cook County Jail staff found a 6-inch shank in Jose Medina's possession around 8 a.m. Thursday.

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Correctional officers searched the 26-year-old and recovered a sharpened piece of metal with a handle fashioned out of medical tape from his pants pocket, the sheriff's office said.

Medina has been in custody since March 23. He is charged with shooting 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman to death at Tobey Prinz Beach in Rogers Park on March 19.

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The Department of Homeland Security says the Venezuelan national entered the U.S. illegally in 2023.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved a new felony charge of possession of contraband in a penal institution against Medina on Friday.

Medina has pleaded not guilty to charges in Gorman's killing. His next court date is June 1.

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