College freshman from Westchester County shot and killed near campus in Chicago

An 18-year-old from Westchester County was shot and killed by a stray bullet while walking with friends near her college campus in Chicago, according to officials.

Sheridan Gorman was walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach off Lake Michigan just blocks from Loyola University Chicago’s campus after 2 a.m. Thursday, police said, when a man went up to them. Shortly after, the man took out a gun and opened fire in the group’s direction.

Gorman, a freshman from the New York village of Yorktown Heights, was struck in the head by a bullet and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. No other injuries were reported.

University officials called the incident a “tragic loss” as police continued their investigation.

“It is with profound sadness that I write to share that one of our students, Sheridan Gorman, was killed earlier today in an incident north of the Lake Shore Campus,” a letter, released Thursday and addressed to the Loyola Community from school president Mark C. Reed, said. “This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her.”

In a campus safety alert sent early Thursday morning, the school said the man, who was not known to the group, was wearing a face covering. He was still on the loose.

Gorman’s parents were on their way to Chicago Thursday night. In a text to NBC New York, her father said he wasn’t able to talk, but urged parents to hug their children.

In a statement, the Gorman family said Sheridan would always be their light. They went on to say that they trusted she would be safe, but said that trust was now broken — calling her death a murder and demanding justice.

“She was quiet, but just like her mom, you gravitated to her. She had this inner glow about her,” said Jim Pugliese, a longtime friend of the Gorman family. “A shining light got extinguished for no reason whatsoever.”

Photos from the scene overnight showed multiple police officers the school and CPD investigating the area near the beach. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.