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ANKENY, Iowa (KCCI) — Nearly a month after 17-year-old Teonnie Tillman was killed in a Fourth of July shooting in West Des Moines, her family is speaking publicly for the first time.
In an exclusive interview with KCCI, Tillman’s parents, siblings and loved ones shared memories of the Ankeny teenager, described the moments leading up to the shooting and called for accountability as the criminal case moves forward.
“She wasn’t involved. She was innocent. She was a bystander in this situation,” her mother said.
According to West Des Moines police, the shooting happened after an argument outside a house party on July 4. Investigators allege 17-year-old Miles Lee fired at another teenager, Byrone Sanchez-Zermeno, but the shots struck Tillman instead. Lee has since been charged as an adult with first-degree murder. A hearing is set on Aug. 26.
Police have said Tillman was an uninvolved bystander, and investigators do not anticipate making additional arrests.
‘She was your typical teenager’
For Tillman’s family, the investigation is only one part of the story.
They described Teonnie as an outgoing teenager who loved spending time with friends, listening to music and making TikTok videos.
“She was your typical teenager. Go to school, drive around and play loud music, make TikTok videos,” her mother said.
Her younger sister, Ciahna, said the two were more than siblings.
“They were best friends,” their mother said, explaining the sisters were only about 16 months apart and often mistaken for twins.
The family said Teonnie had been planning to graduate high school early in December and was scheduled to meet with a National Guard recruiter the week after the Fourth of July. Inspired by her father and older brother’s service, she hoped to follow a similar path.
Sister witnessed the shooting
Ciahna Tillman was standing just feet away when the argument erupted into gunfire.
“I watched him take his gun out first. And then everything happened after that,” she said. “I just remember running to my sister to see if she was okay, and I was screaming for people to help and call 911.”
The sisters had only been at the party for minutes and were already leaving when the confrontation unfolded, the family said.
“She was at the party for five minutes,” her mother said. “She just happened to be in between the two that were fighting … and then she gets hit.”
‘All I have is ashes’
Now, the family’s home is filled with reminders of Teonnie, framed photographs, tokens to memorialize her, and an urn holding her ashes.
Her mother said that justice is reliant on the shooter receiving a severe punishment for his actions.
“These parents get to still hug and kiss their child at the end of the day, whether he’s in juvenile detention or if he goes to prison, they still will get to hold him,” she said. “I don’t get that. We don’t get that. She is ashes. We have her in a container.”
She said grief has become something the family takes minute by minute.
“I know they say time heals everything. I just can’t imagine that to be true.”
Calling for accountability
The family said they hope Teonnie’s death sparks conversations about juveniles with guns and stronger accountability.
Her mother believes penalties should be tougher for juveniles who illegally carry firearms and said parents also need to take greater responsibility.
“Start making parents responsible,” she said. “Why are your children walking around here with guns?”
Ciahna also said she is frustrated the people arguing couldn’t resolve the conflict without killing her sister.
“There are so many more ways that they could have solved their issue,” she said.
Recognizing those who tried to help
The family also wanted to publicly thank three young men they say immediately began performing CPR after the shooting.
Although Teonnie’s injuries proved fatal, her family said Tyler, “KG” and Silas never stopped trying to save her before emergency crews arrived. The family did not know the boys’ last names.
“They jumped in action,” her brother, Mondrese Tillman, said. “They started performing CPR … and they should be recognized.”
Candlelight vigil planned
Family and friends will gather for a candlelight vigil honoring Teonnie on Saturday.
Her family said they hope it serves as both a celebration of her life and a reminder that she was an innocent teenager whose future was cut short.
“It’s important that we remember her, that she was innocent,” her mother said. “To bring awareness to the gun violence … it’s all a celebration of her life so she’s not forgotten.”
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