ELSMERE, Ky. — Family and friends gathered Thursday to remember a 15-year-old girl shot to death, allegedly by a 15-year-old boy, in Elsmere.
Around 100 people gathered at Tristen Smith's Green Township home and released balloons in her honor.
"We just can't stop crying," Amyiah Thompson said. "All you see is tears."
Kara Thompson, like many in the crowd, said even days after the shooting, it's hard to understand someone so young could be gone so suddenly.
"I can't wrap my head around it. It does not seem real," she said.
Thompson remembered Smith as a fun-loving vibrant girl who defended others.
She said the friend she often had over to her house overnight loved to dance and cheer.
The crowd led a cheer spelling her name before the balloon release.
"We're forever going to miss her," Musgrove said.
WATCH: Friends, family remember 15-year-old killed in Elsmere
Elsmere police are still working to recover the gun used to take Tristan Paige Smith's life. Police said the 15-year-old boy told officers he ran away and "accidentally dropped the gun at an undisclosed location."
That boy has been arrested and faces charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Elsmere police said officers were dispatched to Autumn Road for a shooting Monday night around 8:46 p.m. when they found Smith with gunshot wounds to her arm and chest. Police said she died at the scene.
According to police, prosecutors will decide at a later date whether to try the minor as an adult.
Watch our initial reporting on the investigation below:
Authorities did not release the name of the suspect due to his age.
Officers are asking residents in the area to be on the lookout for the gun and, if found, call 911 immediately. They also said not to touch the gun because they think it's loaded, and they want to make sure DNA and fingerprint evidence remain intact.
Police canvassed areas of Elsmere following the shooting on Tuesday, searching for the gun, but did not appear to find it.
WATCH: Neighbors react to the recent fatal incident as we followed police searching for the dropped gun on Tuesday
A family friend has also created a GoFundMe for Smith's family to help provide funding for Smith's funeral.
