16-year-old girl shot and killed at Thornton house party

THORNTON, Colo. -- Police were searching for the man who shot and killed a 16-year old girl during a house party early Saturday.

The shooting happened following a disturbance at Monaco Way and Krameria Street around 1:40 a.m.

"The suspect fired a weapon as he was leaving the residence, striking the victim," according to a press release from the Thornton Police Department. 

Officers found the young woman in the street with a gunshot to the torso. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Neighbors tell Denver 7 they heard at least nine gunshots overnight, though Thornton police were only confirm a report of "multiple gunshots." 

A neighbor told Denver7 she thought it was just a Friday night house party that involved a small fight between teens. "Then you learn that a young girl was killed -- and you heard, possibly the shots that killed her. That's really hard," she said. 

We reached out to Alyssa Montoya who, through social media, said she is the victim's best friend. 

Montoya said she spoke with the victim before the night started, saying the girl went to a football game before heading to the party.

"You don't think about that... You just think that you're going to go out and have fun for a while, then come home to your family," said Montoya.

She describes the victim as an outgoing sister, daughter, and best friend.

Police were looking for a Hispanic male in his late teens or early twenties with a skinny build. He is described as 5-feet-6 with a gold hoop ring in his nose and dark hair. He was last seen wearing eyeglasses and a gray sweatshirt.

The suspect is possibly associated with a red sedan.

Police looking for Hispanic man in late teens/early 20s. 5'6, possibly associated with red sedan. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/QlArPgPLAB

— Amanda del Castillo (@AmandaDTV) September 17, 2016

Anyone with information is asked to call the Thornton Police tip line at (720) 977-5069 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.