Chicago Police Questioning 'Person of Interest' in Loyola Slaying

Freshman Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot on Loyola Beach pier

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chicago police are questioning a 'person of interest' in connection with the fatal shooting of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, who was found with a gunshot wound on the pier at Loyola Beach in Rogers Park on Thursday. Gorman, a business student from New York, was walking with friends when a gunman approached and opened fire.

Why it matters

The shooting death of a young college student on a university campus has shaken the Loyola community and raised concerns about safety in the Rogers Park neighborhood, which has seen an uptick in violent crime in recent years.

The details

According to a police report, officers found Gorman on the pier with a gunshot wound to the back and recovered a single shell casing about 40 feet from her body. Police said Gorman was walking with friends when a gunman approached and opened fire on them.

  • On Thursday, Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot on the pier at Loyola Beach.
  • On Saturday, Chicago police said they were questioning a 'person of interest' in connection with the shooting.

The players

Sheridan Gorman

A 19-year-old Loyola University freshman from Yorktown Heights, New York, who was studying business and involved with the Christian campus group Cru.

Chicago Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the fatal shooting of Sheridan Gorman and questioning a 'person of interest' in the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We take comfort in our faith, but nothing can lessen the devastation of this loss.”

— Sheridan Gorman's Family

“Sheridan had made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was.”

— Sheridan Gorman's Family

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the 'person of interest' to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic shooting has shaken the Loyola community and raised concerns about safety in the Rogers Park neighborhood, underscoring the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and support students on college campuses.