Chicago police are questioning a person of interest in the shooting death of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman, a tragedy that has shaken the campus community and sparked renewed conversations about safety in the Rogers Park neighborhood. The 18-year-old, originally from Westchester County, Recent York, was fatally shot early Thursday morning while walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach, less than a mile from campus.
Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, with no further details released about the person of interest as of Saturday morning, according to police. The incident occurred around 2:11 a.m. On Thursday, when an unknown, masked individual approached the group and opened fire, striking Gorman in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The loss of Sheridan Gorman has prompted an outpouring of grief from Loyola University Chicago. University President Mark C. Reed issued a statement expressing profound sadness and assuring the community that there is currently no ongoing threat to campus safety. “We are in close contact with law enforcement as they investigate and work to understand the full circumstances of this tragedy,” Reed wrote in a letter to the community on Thursday, as reported by Loyola University Chicago News.
Gorman’s family described her as a source of light and compassion in a statement released through an attorney. “Sheridan was the light of our lives,” the statement read. “She made people sense seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was. She lived her faith with kindness, compassion, and joy…” The family has requested that anyone with information about the shooting reach forward, stating, “Doing nothing is not neutral. It only allows this to remain unresolved.”
Vigil Held, Community Mourns
Students and faculty gathered for a vigil at Madonna della Strada Chapel on Thursday evening to remember Gorman, sharing memories and offering support to one another. Footage of the vigil shows a somber gathering as the bell tolled, reflecting the deep sorrow felt across the campus. Counseling and support services are available to students through the Wellness Center (773.508.2530) and Campus Ministry (773.508.2200), with counselors also present at Mertz Hall.
The shooting has ignited a broader discussion about safety protocols, both on and off campus. Some students have expressed concern about walking alone at night, even in areas considered relatively safe. One student told reporters, “She was doing everything right… there was nothing she could have done differently,” highlighting the unsettling nature of the incident and the feeling that Gorman was a victim of random violence.
Investigation Continues, Police Seek Information
Chicago police have stated that Gorman was not the intended target of the shooting, though the motive remains under investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Campus Safety at 773-508-SAFE or the Chicago Police Department at 911 or 312-744-8263. ABC7 Chicago reports that the family is planning both private and public services to honor Gorman’s life next week in Yorktown, New York.
The incident comes as Loyola University Chicago, like many universities, continues to grapple with ensuring the safety of its students in a major urban environment. The university has not announced any immediate changes to security measures, but officials have indicated they are reviewing existing protocols in light of this tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the Loyola community and the city of Chicago mourn the loss of Sheridan Gorman, a young woman described by those who knew her as a beacon of kindness and compassion. The focus now remains on supporting her family and friends, and assisting law enforcement in bringing those responsible to justice.
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