GU Student's Mother Killed in Newtown Shootings

The Georgetown University community is banding together to raise funds for Katy Sherlach, a Ph.D candidate in chemistry, whose mother was among the .

Sherlach's mother, Mary Sherlach, was the school psychologist at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the days since the shootings, she's been called a hero, along with the school's principal, for allegedly trying to stop the gunman in the building's front office. The gunman killed both women before making his way through other parts of the building.

The Georgetown University Law Center has created a fundraising page, "Georgetown University Law Center community helps a victim of gun violence at Sandy Hook School," with an initial $5,000 goal.

As of 12:45 p.m. Monday, 82 donors had given $2,090.

The page explains its cause:

"On December 15, a gunman shot dead over 20 people at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.  That violence cost one Georgetown graduate student a parent, who was an educator at the school.  Gun violence in one place can hurt people anywhere and everywhere.  Georgetown University Law Center community members can help a Georgetown victim right here. The student will have the expenses that arise from an unexpected death in the family. We can provide immediate assistance. Please make a donation in any amount to reach the goal of $5,000 by December 25, 2012."

All funds raised (minus PayPayl processing fees) will go directly to the student. Donations are not tax-deductible. 

For live updates on the shootings, follow Newtown (Conn.) Patch.

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