CHICAGO (WLS) — An 18-year-old girl was shot and killed whereas strolling with associates near a seashore near Loyola University in Rogers Park Thursday morning, Chicago police mentioned.
A vigil was held on campus Thursday night time as college students mourn the loss.
Sheridan Gorman was simply months away from ending her first 12 months in faculty. The New York native’s college expertise minimize quick whereas she was hanging out with associates at a well-liked close by pier.
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The shooting happened at about 1:30 a.m. at a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in the 1000-block of West Pratt Boulevard.
Police mentioned the sufferer was with a gaggle of associates when a male suspect approached on foot, took out a gun and opened fireplace in the group’s path.
The girl was shot in the top and pronounced lifeless on the scene, police mentioned. No different accidents have been reported.
Loyola University confirmed the lady is a student on the college and recognized her as Sheridan Gorman.
Police mentioned the younger girl was not the supposed goal. Loyola mentioned the suspect was sporting a face masking.
A neighbor who didn’t need to be recognized mentioned she heard what gave the impression of a gunshot.
“So I was just starting to go to sleep and then we heard one pop, both my partner and I,” the neighbor mentioned. “I though it was a firework, but then 20 minutes later there was a lot of like blood curdling screams that were happening.”
Loyola launched a press release in half saying, “This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her. We are in close contact with law enforcement as they investigate and work to understand the full circumstances of this tragedy. Based on the information available to us now, there is no ongoing threat to our campus community. We will continue to provide updates as confirmed information becomes available.”
Those who reside in the realm, mentioned this can be a standard spot for Loyola college students and a spot the place neighbors stroll their canine.
“It’s just sad, it’s a very quiet neighborhood not much happens here at the beach,” Sandra Hauptmann mentioned. “I’m wondering what was the cause getting shot here at 1 a.m. in the morning. What are they doing? It’s dark, nobody is around here and there are no cameras. It’s kind of dangerous. It’s still the city at the end of day.”
“I can’t imagine the pain that is rippling through so many different communities, obviously, her family, the Loyola community, the Rogers Park community, the Chicago community,” David Fisk mentioned.
Loyola mentioned counseling providers can be found for college students. A vigil for the sufferer will happen on campus at Madonna della Strada Chapel at 7 p.m. as her friends grapple along with her sudden loss.
“I really hope we honor Sheridan. I’m buying flowers and leaving them at the pier later today,” a student mentioned. “I just find it to be terribly tragic to send your daughter to school and find them to be dead. I think it’s terrible.”
Yorktown, New York is the place Gorman graduated highschool final 12 months, and the place her mom is an lively member of a youth sports activities booster group. Gorman’s hometown is now grappling with grief a number of states away.
“It’s just so tragic to see a life, especially such a bright light of a life, cut short and so meaninglessly,” Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman mentioned.
Back in Chicago, the college says it’s cooperating with police in their seek for the shooter.
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