The wider picture
Sheridan Gorman was a first-year student at Loyola University Chicago, having graduated from Yorktown High School in New York in 2025. Her promising future was tragically cut short when she was shot and killed near Loyola Beach in Chicago, a location that is 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, a shocking event that has left her family, friends, and the entire university community in mourning. The Chicago Police Department is actively investigating the shooting, but details remain unconfirmed as authorities work to piece together the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
In the wake of this senseless violence, Loyola Campus Safety confirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the campus community, providing some reassurance to students and faculty alike. However, the emotional impact of Gorman’s death is profound, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss of such a vibrant young life.
In a heartfelt statement, Gorman’s parents expressed their grief, saying, “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.” This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Ron Hattar, who described Gorman as a beloved graduate, stating, “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.”
To honor Gorman’s memory, a vigil was held at Madonna della Strada Chapel at 7:00 p.m. on the same day as the shooting. Community members gathered to pay their respects and support one another during this difficult time. President Mark Reed of Loyola University Chicago urged attendees to join in prayer, saying, “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.”
As the investigation continues, counselors from the Wellness Center and Campus Ministry have been made available to support students grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy. The university community is coming together to process their grief and honor the memory of a student who was described as a “shining light for so many people” by Dr. Hattar.
The loss of Sheridan Gorman serves as a stark reminder of the violence that can erupt in communities, leaving families shattered and friends heartbroken. As the Chicago Police Department works diligently to find answers, the Loyola University Chicago community remains united in their sorrow and determination to remember Gorman’s legacy of kindness and compassion.
