WEST DES MOINES — Police have arrested an 18-year-old Des Moines man after a July 4 shooting at a suburban Iowa party left a 17-year-old Ankeny girl dead.
West Des Moines police said Byrone Sanchez-Zermeno, 18, of Des Moines, was taken into custody without incident Sunday evening. He has been charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.
The victim has been identified as Teonnie Tillman, 17, of Ankeny. West Des Moines police said the department typically does not name juveniles involved in criminal investigations, but identified Tillman at the request of her family.
The arrest comes after a deadly shooting late Saturday, July 4, 2026, in the 1100 block of 20th Place in West Des Moines. As NIT previously reported, police were called around 10:35 PM after a shooting was reported at a large party. Officers arrived as the party was breaking up and found a juvenile suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency crews tried to save the victim before the juvenile was taken to a Des Moines hospital, where the victim died. To read the previous NIT story, please click here.
Police said earlier information showed a verbal argument broke out between people at the party before a handgun was fired. The crowd scattered as officers arrived.
A GoFundMe created to help Teonnie’s family lay her to rest describes her as a loving, outgoing young woman whose smile and warm personality touched those around her. Her family wrote that Teonnie “lit up every room she walked into” and was someone who made friends easily, lifted others up and brought joy to family and friends. The fundraiser says Teonnie was struck by a stray round after a fight at the party escalated into gunfire. To view the fundraiser, please click here.
In Monday’s update, West Des Moines detectives said they had seized two handguns and two rifles as part of the ongoing investigation.
West Des Moines police said they have received assistance from the Iowa Department of Corrections, the Fusion Center, West Des Moines Fire, Des Moines Police Department, the Suburban Emergency Response Team and the Polk County Attorney’s Office.
The investigation remains open.
Sanchez-Zermeno is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.