Teen's family pleads for answers in murder

THORNTON, Colo. --The family of a 16-year-old girl shot and killed at a house party is pleading for information on the shooter.

No arrests have been made in the shooting death of Haley Vargazearly Saturday morning.

"I just want them to find the person that did this. I just want justice," said Leticia Herrera, Vargaz's aunt. "No family should have to hurt like we are right now for my baby niece."

Herrera said that family members did not know Vargaz, a junior at Thornton High School, was going to the house party after the Friday night football game.

"She told her mother she was going to her aunt's house," said Emerita Rivera, another Aunt. "We don't want her to be thought of as the girl who went to the party. She was a good little girl."

In fact, Rivera said, Vargaz had already survived so much; she was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2011 and had fought hard against the disease.

"Just two years ago, we were celebrating because she had finally beat the cancer," said Herrera. "Now we're hurting because her life was taken in a senseless crime."

Police have released descriptions of vehicles they are looking for from that night.

Police are looking for a black SUV, possible a Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, or Cadillac Escalade with at least two people inside.

They are also seeking a red 4-door sedan, early to mid-1990s model, possibly a Honda or Toyota with four to six people inside.

This car was last seen parked in the 12900 Block of Leyden Street the night of the shooting, police said.

On Saturday, police said the suspect was described as a Hispanic male, skinny, in his late teens or early 20s. 

He was about 5 feet 6 inches tall and wore a gold hoop ring in his nostril, had eye glasses and dark hair. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt.

We beg, from our family, if you know anything, if you’ve the seen the gentleman that did it or seen anything that happened that led to this that you do go to the police and you do help us," said Rivera. 

Those with information are asked to call the Thornton Police tip line at 720-977-5069, or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

The family has set up a GoFundMe accountto help pay for funeral expenses.