In Elsmere, Kentucky, a community is reeling from the tragic loss of 15-year-old Tristen Paige Smith, who was fatally shot on Monday, July 21, 2025. Family, friends, and loved ones gathered Thursday at her Green Township home to honor her memory with a heartfelt balloon release, filling the sky with pink and yellow, her favorite colors.
Tristen, a vibrant freshman at Harrison High School, was known for her outgoing personality, infectious kindness, and love for cheerleading, dancing, and making TikToks. Roughly 100 people, including former classmates, cheer teammates, and lifelong friends, came together to celebrate her life while grappling with the devastating circumstances of her death. “She was the sweetest girl to be around. She could light up any room,” said Kara Musgrove, a lifelong friend. “We made a lot of good memories, and it’s really sad that she had to go and that it had to end this way,” added Kaylee Chambers, another close friend who shared lunches and sleepovers with Tristen.
Elsmere police responded to a shooting in the 3700 block of Autumn Road around 8:46 p.m. on Monday, where they found Tristen suffering from gunshot wounds to her arm and chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old boy, identified by Tristen’s mother as her boyfriend, has been charged with murder, domestic violence, and tampering with physical evidence. The suspect, whose name is withheld due to his age, is currently in juvenile court, with prosecutors to decide later whether to try him as an adult.
The investigation remains active, with police still searching for the handgun used in the shooting. The suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot and claimed to have accidentally dropped the weapon at an undisclosed location. Authorities are urging residents to be on the lookout for the gun, believed to be loaded, and to call 911 immediately if found, without touching it to preserve potential DNA and fingerprint evidence. “The notion of a 15-year-old having a handgun for any reason is alarming enough, but knowing it caused the death of another teen is deeply disturbing,” said Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders.
Tristen’s friends described her as the life of the party, always ready to defend others and bring joy to those around her. “She was just a happy person overall. She cared for everybody. Anyone who needed her help, she was right there,” Musgrove said. Many at the vigil wore shirts bearing their favorite photos of Tristen, and two cheerleaders performed a routine, spelling out her name in a tearful tribute. “She’s forever in my heart. I’m always going to miss her,” Chambers said, echoing the sentiments of many who wished for Tristen to be remembered as “a beautiful, sweet, funny person who could light up any room.”
Tristen was looking forward to her sophomore year, filled with dreams of more football games, cheer practices, and time with friends. Her mother described her as a radiant light, a beacon in any darkness. A GoFundMe has been established to help cover funeral expenses, with her visitation and funeral held on Friday, July 25, 2025, at a Taylor Hill funeral home.
As the community mourns, they hold tight to memories of Tristen’s love for skating, cheering, and bringing people together. “We’ll forever love her, we’ll forever miss her. She was taken way too soon,” Musgrove said. The tragedy has left friends like Amyiah Thompson struggling to process the loss: “There’s nothing that you can really say to describe how most of us or all of us here feel about this situation.” Yet, in their grief, they vow to keep Tristen’s vibrant spirit alive, forever cherishing the joy she brought to their lives.