A father has been left heartbroken after his 17-year-old daughter was shot dead while leaving a house party in Arizona over the weekend, with the suspect still at large.
Desiree Rivas, a high school cheerleader, was fatally shot on Sunday, May 14, while leaving a house party in the Tolleson neighbourhood of Phoenix.
Police rushed to the scene shortly after midnight after receiving reports that several shots had been fired.
Firefighters pronounced Desiree, a Cesar Chavez High School student, dead at the scene.
Her father, Danny Rivas, said Desiree was "a beautiful person and amazing soul" as he gathered at a vigil in memory of his daughter.
More than 100 friends, family members and loved ones gathered at the vigil on Monday, May 15.
The scene was filled with candles, flowers and pictures, with people bringing balloons which were released in her memory.
Mr Riva said his daughter was a role model to everybody and was one of the people "you wanted to be around."
He said: "She touched so many people. I mean, you never know how relationships are at school.
"They come home, and they don't talk about it because they're doing homework and stuff like that.
"This brought my spirits up a little bit. I have to make it through this week to make sure that everything goes well for her because I want to send her off properly."
Desiree's cheerleading team shared their tribute on their Instagram page, saying: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I post about the tragic loss of our amazing friend, athlete, and student Desiree. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces.
"There will be extra counselors on campus tomorrow to help us all work through this tremendous loss. May Dessy rest in peace and be surrounded by love and light. We love you, Desiree."
Her high school also issued a statement to parents, which read: "It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic news about the passing of Desiree Rivas.
"Desiree was a beloved member of our student body and an active member of our spirit line.
"She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
"Desiree passed away after being the victim of a senseless act of violence this past weekend. She loved her peers and was a compassionate and caring member of our student community."
Neighbours recalled hearing loud gunshots at the scene, telling FOX10 they noticed what they thought were teenage boys running.
One neighbour, April Stokes, described hearing the gunshots. "I was in bed and I heard these gunshots, and they were loud," she explained.
"It seems like they were right in my yard. They were so loud. I was scared to get up because I didn't know where they were coming from since they sounded so close."
Another man told FOX10: "I heard five, maybe six shots, two different guns, you know. It sounded pretty close. I wasn't able to sleep with the chopper up, going around for about five hours or so."
Right after hearing the gunshots, April said she noticed something outside her window.
She said: "I saw these boys - looked like teenage boys - running from across the street there. From one house to the other."
Phoenix Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information is being urged to call Phoenix Police or SIlent WItness at 480-WITNESS OR 480-TIESTIGO for Spanish. Tips can also be submitted online.
