A Loyola University student was shot to death while she was walking with friends at a Rogers Park beach early Thursday.
Sheridan Gorman, 18, was walking with the friends in the 1000 block of West Pratt Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. when a gunman — wearing a face covering — approached them on foot and opened fire in their direction, according to police and Loyola University.
Gorman’s father, Thomas, was not ready to talk about the shooting Thursday but had one message to share: “Tell everyone to go hug their kids.”
The attack happened on the pier at Tobey Prinz Beach, the university said.
Gorman was shot in her head and was dead on the scene, police said.
A letter sent to students from Loyola President Mark C. Reed announced Gorman’s death, just north of the Lake Shore Campus, with “profound sadness.”
“This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her,” Reed said in the letter.
“We are in close contact with law enforcement as they investigate and work to understand the full circumstances of this tragedy. Based on the information available to us now, there is no ongoing threat to our campus community,” Reed said in the letter.
“We recognize that this news will be painful for members of our community,” Reed said in the letter. “Please know that you do not have to navigate this alone. Counseling and support services are available immediately.”
Reed asked for prayers for their “beloved” student and her family. " A vigil was planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at Madonna della Strada Chapel at the Lake Shore Campus.
Campus safety continues to work alongside the Chicago Police Department as the investigation proceeds. Anyone with information should contact Campus safety at 773-508-SAFE, or the Chicago Police Department at 911 or 312-744-8263.
There were no other injuries reported.
Area 3 detectives were investigating.
This is an evolving story and will be updated as information allows.