The wider picture
Sheridan Gorman was an 18-year-old first-year student at Loyola University Chicago, having graduated from Yorktown High School in New York in 2025. Her life was tragically cut short when she was shot and killed near Loyola Beach in Chicago, just two blocks from her university campus. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 19, 2026, when a shooter approached Gorman and her friends on foot and opened fire.
Gorman was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, prompting an immediate response from the Chicago Police Department, which is actively investigating the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the incident have left the community in shock, as Loyola Campus Safety confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the campus community following the event.
In the wake of this tragedy, Gorman’s parents expressed their grief, stating, “We want people to know that Sheridan was wonderful and the kindest soul that ever was. She was so so loved and cherished and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.” The loss has resonated deeply within the university and local community, prompting an outpouring of support and condolences.
A vigil in remembrance of Sheridan Gorman was held at Madonna della Strada Chapel at 7:00 p.m. on the same day of the shooting. Dr. Ron Hattar, a representative from Yorktown High School, shared his sorrow, saying, “It is with an absolutely broken heart that I share the loss of beloved YHS graduate, Sheridan Gorman. We are so deeply shattered by this tragic and senseless loss.”
President Mark Reed of Loyola University Chicago also addressed the community, urging them to join in prayer for Gorman’s family and the grieving community. He stated, “Please join me in prayer to St. Joseph, whose feast we celebrate today, to intercede for our grieving community and for the family of our beloved student Sheridan—and may his example of faithful, protective love inspire us to care tenderly for one another.”
In addition to the community support, counselors from the Wellness Center and Campus Ministry were made available for students and staff affected by the incident, emphasizing the university’s commitment to mental health and well-being during this difficult time.
As the investigation continues, the Chicago Police Department is working diligently to gather more information and identify the shooter. Observers and officials anticipate that further developments will emerge as the investigation unfolds. The community remains united in mourning the loss of a bright young life, and many are calling for increased safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
