Early Thursday morning, an 18-year-old woman was fatally shot in an apparently random attack while she was with friends at the Loyola Beach pier.
At approximately 1:11 a.m., a 911 call was made by someone fleeing for safety after a man wearing a ski mask and dressed in black fired a single shot at a group near the lakefront by Pratt Boulevard. Other members of the group contacted 911 shortly thereafter.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the woman lying on the pier near the light beacon, having suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported to police that the gunman appeared from behind the light beacon, fired one shot, and then escaped down the beach.
Initial information suggests the victim may have been a Loyola University student. Officers stated she was affiliated with the school, and a supervisor from Loyola University Police was dispatched to the scene. Social media accounts linked to the victim indicate she was from out of state and had mentioned plans to attend Loyola. The university has yet to confirm her enrollment status. Her name has not been released publicly.
The Chicago Police Department released this statement: “1000 block of W. Pratt Blvd on March 19, 2026 at approx. 1:30 A.M. — Officers responded to a call of a person shot. The victim, an 18-year-old female, was walking outside near above location with a group of friends. An unknown male offender approached the group on foot. The offender displayed a firearm and opened fire in the group’s direction. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced on scene. There were no other injuries reported. Area Three Detectives are investigating.”
This incident marks the fourth shooting in Rogers Park this year.
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Tim Hecke is CWBChicago’s managing partner. He started his career at KMOX, the legendary news radio station in St. Louis. From there, he moved on to work at stations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York City. Tim went on to build syndicated radio news and content services that served every one of America’s 100 largest radio markets. He became CWBChicago’s managing partner in 2019.
His email address is tim@cwbchicago.com
