A Fourth of July gathering in West Des Moines, Iowa, ended in tragedy when 17-year-old Teonnie Tillman was shot during a large party in the 1100 block of 20th Place. A verbal altercation at the event escalated and a handgun was fired; emergency crews found Teonnie with a critical gunshot wound around 10:35 p.m. She was transported to a local hospital and later died of her injuries.

The West Des Moines Police Department arrested 18-year-old Byrone Sanchez-Zermeno of Des Moines the following evening. He was charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon; detectives seized two handguns and two rifles during the investigation. Polk County Jail records list Sanchez-Zermeno as a white male held on $50,000 cash bond for the shooting charges and an additional no-bail hold for a probation violation. The investigation remains active and the family requested that police identify Teonnie by name.

A GoFundMe was set up to help with funeral costs. If anyone attended the party or has information about the altercation or the firearm involved, please share what was seen or heard with investigators.