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 just a year prior in 2025. Her life was tragically cut short when she was shot and killed near Loyola Beach in Chicago, a location that is only two blocks away from her university campus. This incident has sent shockwaves through the university community and the city at large.
The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 19, 2026, when an assailant approached Gorman and her friends on foot and opened fire. Gorman was shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Chicago Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, but details remain unconfirmed.
In the wake of this senseless act of violence, Loyola Campus Safety confirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the campus community, providing some reassurance to students and faculty. However, the emotional toll on those who knew Gorman is profound. Her parents described her as “wonderful and the kindest soul that ever was,” emphasizing how deeply she was loved and cherished by those around her.
A vigil in remembrance of Sheridan Gorman was held at Madonna della Strada Chapel at 7:00 p.m. on the same day as the shooting. Community members gathered to honor her memory and support one another in their grief. Dr. Ron Hattar, a representative from Yorktown High School, expressed his heartbreak over the loss, 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.”
President Mark Reed of Loyola University Chicago also addressed the community, encouraging them to join in prayer for Gorman’s family and for the grieving community. He remarked, “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 for support to students and staff affected by this tragic event. The impact of Gorman’s loss is being felt widely, with many describing her as a “shining light” and a person whose influence on students and staff alike was profound.
As the community mourns, it is clear that Sheridan Gorman’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched. Observers and officials are hopeful that this tragedy will lead to a renewed focus on safety and support within the university and the surrounding area, as they seek to prevent such incidents in the future.