An 18-year-old student from New York was shot dead near Loyola University Chicago, as police detain a Venezuelan migrant suspect in a case that has shocked the campus community.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media
An 18-year-old student, Sheridan Gorman, was fatally shot near Loyola University Chicago, with police detaining a 25-year-old Venezuelan migrant in connection with the killing, according to multiple reports.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on March 19 at Loyola Beach Pier, where Gorman, a first-year business student from New York, had been walking with friends.
Authorities said the suspect, dressed in black and wearing a mask, allegedly approached Gorman from behind and fired a single shot before she could flee. She was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the back.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the suspect walking near West Pratt Boulevard before entering a nearby apartment building. Investigators later identified him through internal camera footage and a “distinct limp,” according to local reports.
The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released, has not yet been formally charged. His immigration status and length of stay in the United States remain unclear. Reports indicate he had a prior misdemeanor arrest for shoplifting in 2023.
Gorman’s family described her as a vibrant young woman whose life was cut tragically short. “She was exactly where she should have been — close to campus, surrounded by friends, living her life,” the family said in a statement.
“What happened to Sheridan is the loss of a daughter, a sister, and a future filled with milestones that will now never come,” the statement added.
Gorman was active in campus life, including participation in a Christian student group, and had recently shared posts expressing excitement about her college experience.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police have not confirmed whether the victim and suspect knew each other.
The case has raised fresh concerns about safety near university campuses and comes as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
