Teen girl shot to death during overnight house party near Tolleson

TOLLESON, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — A teen girl was shot to death when she reportedly tried to leave a house party in a neighborhood near Tolleson on Sunday morning. Police have confirmed her identity as 17-year-old Desiree Rivas. According to a Cesar Chavez High School social media account, she was a student at the school in Laveen Village.

Phoenix Police responded to the shooting which happened just after midnight near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. When they arrived, they found Rivas dead at the scene from a gunshot wound. Investigators learned she may have been trying to leave the party when she was shot.

“It’s just sad, you know, especially on Mother’s Day something like this happening,” said a neighbor. “I was telling my kids, bullets doesn’t have a name on them. Bullets can go to anyone.”

She said her kids wanted to go to the party, but she said no. She said shots were fired around midnight, and it sounded like the gunfire was moving from where it started. When she went outside, she saw the victim laying on the floor. “She did have friends that did stay behind and assist her, and I was there with her,” she said. “We couldn’t sleep at all last night. I couldn’t sleep at all. I kept thinking about the mother and what she was going through,” she said.

“I don’t want my kids to ever be in a bad situation, you know, where it’s not their fault and they’re innocent there, and other people’s bad decision making at the time, is just wrong,” said neighbor Brian Francis. “Just want to say God bless you, and my condolences to you and your family and keep your guys’ heads up and never forget about her. Always celebrate her and her life and what she loved,” said Francis.

Detectives are still looking for a suspect, and investigating what led to the shooting. Anyone with information can contact the Phoenix Police Department, or Silent Witness (480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish).

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