The investigation into the murder of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, who was killed in an unprovoked attack at Loyola Beach, has revealed more details. Chicago police are questioning a Venezuelan migrant regarding the incident.
On Saturday evening, CWB Chicago reported that police detained a 25-year-old man at around 9 p.m. on Friday. The arrest was made during a search at an apartment building on the 6800 block of North Sheridan Road, close to the Rogers Park pier. A firearm was found during the search and sent for ballistics testing to see if it was used to kill Gorman, who died from a single shot to the torso, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigators, as of Saturday, have found no signs of provocation or conflict before the shooting. At 1:11 a.m. on Thursday, Gorman and her friends encountered the suspect near the pier’s light beacon. Wearing a ski mask or similar covering, the gunman fired a single shot, hitting Gorman in the torso. Initially, police reported she was shot in the head. Surveillance footage led detectives to the apartment, where additional video without the suspect’s face covering helped someone in the building identify him.
The man’s name is withheld as he has not been charged in relation to Gorman’s death.
Court documents indicate he was arrested in June 2023 for allegedly stealing $132 worth of goods from Macy’s at 111 North State Street. He listed his address as 1222 West Touhy Avenue in Rogers Park, which corresponds to Leone Beach Park, a migrant shelter. Leone Beach Park is adjacent to Loyola Beach.
Records show he was released from custody under a “rule of the court” procedure, allowing non-violent offenders to be released on their own recognizance. He failed to appear in court subsequently, leading Judge Peter Gonzalez to grant a 30-day extension. After missing another court date where a Macy’s representative was present, an arrest warrant was issued requiring a $50 deposit for release, but he was not apprehended.
Officials are facing scrutiny over their statements following Gorman’s murder. Ald. Maria Hadden informed constituents on Friday morning that police believed there was no wider threat to the community. Loyola’s president expressed a similar sentiment, stating no ongoing threat to campus. However, these remarks were made while the shooter remained unidentified and at large.
Gorman’s family released a statement on Saturday, challenging a Sun-Times headline that framed her death as “WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME.”
“She was right where she should have been—near campus, with friends, living her life,” her family stated, emphasizing they were at the lakefront hoping to see the Northern Lights. “Sheridan’s death cannot be simplified to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is the devastating loss of a daughter, a sister, and a future full of unfulfilled milestones. Our family is forever altered.”
“Sheridan was the heart of our family, full of life, kindness, and love that she generously shared with everyone. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel seen and valued, whether they were friends, family, or strangers. Sheridan always left people better than she found them.”
“She deserved a future that was unjustly taken. We will ensure her story is not reduced to just another headline. She was extraordinary and will always be cherished.”
“We cannot accept a world where such events become normalized. We must remain sensitive to violence and not become desensitized to such tragedies. Apathy allows these incidents to continue.”
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