Feds issue arrest detainer for person questioned in Loyola student's killing

Charges had not been filed as of Sunday afternoon against the suspect, who is a Venezuelan migrant

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:27pm

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Federal immigration authorities lodged an arrest detainer Sunday urging city and state officials not to release a person of interest who is being questioned in the fatal shooting of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman. The Department of Homeland Security said the suspect was previously taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol and later charged with misdemeanor retail theft.

Why it matters

The death of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola student, has sparked outrage and calls for justice from her family. The involvement of federal immigration authorities adds another layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about the suspect's immigration status and potential deportation.

The details

Gorman and her friends were taking an early morning stroll to the pier close to Tobey Prinz Beach on March 19, just north of Loyola's Lake Shore campus, when a masked gunman emerged from the shadows and fired a single shot as they fled. Gorman was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was previously taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol and later charged with misdemeanor retail theft.

  • Sheridan Gorman was killed on March 19, 2026.
  • The suspect was taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023.
  • The suspect was later charged with misdemeanor retail theft in July 2023.

The players

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student who was fatally shot while taking an early morning stroll with friends.

Venezuelan migrant

The person of interest being questioned in connection with Gorman's killing, who was previously taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol and later charged with misdemeanor retail theft.

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What they’re saying

“This was not inevitable. This was a choice. And our daughter paid the price for it. … For our family, this is not about a process — it is about accountability, and it is about ensuring that Sheridan's life is not reduced to just another case moving through the system. This cannot become just another story that fades with time.”

— Sheridan Gorman's family

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Sheridan Gorman has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the involvement of federal immigration authorities adding another layer of complexity to the case. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and the need for comprehensive solutions to protect innocent lives.