In a tragic incident near a Chicago lakefront beach, an 18-year-old college freshman lost her life when gunfire erupted early in the morning. The victim, Sheridan Gorman, a first-year student at Loyola University Chicago, was fatally shot in the head in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

The shooting unfolded shortly after 1:30 a.m. on March 19, near the popular Tobey Prinz Beach, located close to Loyola’s campus. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Gorman was with a group of friends when a masked individual approached and opened fire, tragically hitting her.

As of now, no arrests have been made, and the suspect remains unidentified, still at large. Witnesses described the shooter as wearing dark clothing and a ski mask, which obscured their face, before fleeing the scene on foot.

Authorities have confirmed that Gorman was the only person hit during the incident. Despite the ongoing investigation, detectives suspect she was not the intended target, as reported by Chicago’s ABC affiliate, WLS.

The community is left grappling with the sudden loss, as law enforcement officials continue their search for the shooter and work to piece together the events leading up to this senseless act of violence.

Witnesses told investigators the suspect was wearing dark clothing and a ski mask that covered their face. After firing, they fled the area on foot.

Friends who were with Gorman reportedly ran when the gunfire erupted, then returned moments later to find her unresponsive on the ground.

The killing has shaken the community at Loyola University Chicago, where Gorman had recently begun her freshman year. University officials said they are cooperating with law enforcement and providing support resources to students affected by the shooting.

In a statement, university leadership described the incident as a devastating loss and extended condolences to Gorman’s family and friends.

“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,” University President Mark C. Reed wrote in a statement. “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.”

Gorman, who was originally from New York, was remembered by loved ones as a kind and vibrant young woman whose life was cut short just months into her college experience, WLS reported.

Residents in the area reported hearing what sounded like a single gunshot, followed by screams, highlighting the sudden nature of the violence. One student told local CBS affiliate WBBM that the gunshot woke him up.

“I just heard the screaming. They were saying, ‘Come help us. We’re over here,’” the student, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly said. “Since then, I couldn’t go back to sleep. It was something I never thought would happen in the community here.”

Police have not said what may have motivated the shooting and continue to search for the shooter. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.