16-year-old girl killed in Manassas shooting identified; search for second gunman continues

MANASSAS, Va. - Community members and city leaders gathered to mourn a 16-year-old Patriot High School student who was killed when gunfire broke out during a crowded First Friday event in Old Town Manassas.

What we know:

An argument escalated into gunfire near Foster's Grill and the train tracks on Friday night, catching 16-year-old Ashley Intihar in the crossfire. She is described as an innocent bystander.

"Every time you saw her smile like you would instantly just smile. And she had beautiful eyes. She was just the sweetest girl ever," said Intihar's classmate, Evelyn Alvarez. 

The monthly First Friday event drew an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people. Manassas Police Chief Doug Keen noted the gathering has always been a safe, family-friendly environment, and attendees said there was a strong police presence on patrol during the event.

"We just saw everybody running down the street and it was really scary," said Manassas resident Michael Boakye. "We didn't know if it was like a mass shooter at the time or if it was a targeted event, and so, we just did our best to duck and cover and run into a building."

Memorial honors teen killed

What they're saying:

People of all ages, along with Keen, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger and a city council member, stood in sadness and solidarity across from large "Love & Hope" signs where Intihar lost her life. A memorial has been growing next to the Manassas train station where she was killed. Friends and classmates have been collecting photos to create a collage in her memory.

"I just wish this was all a nightmare and I just want to wake up and see her at school," said Alvarez. "Today, school just didn't feel the same. Everyone wore red because that was her favorite color.  So, everyone's just wearing red trying to show their support, but this is hard like you don't hear her in the hallways anymore. You don't see her. You can hear her laugh. It's just heartbreaking."

Community members said they hope the monthly gatherings will continue as a testament to the young girl and the community's spirit.

"It is about accountability at this point," Davis-Younger said. "Two people decided to end their dispute with guns, which happens way too often in a lot of different places in the state of Virginia."

Uma Beepat of local business The Lotus and The Light echoed the need for unity.

"We have to stop blaming each other, blaming races, blaming police," Beepat said. "If we want First Friday and to be in a safe place, we have to work together."

The principal of Patriot High School announced the news of her death to the school community, and additional counseling resources are available for students at the high school.

Police search for second suspect

Dig deeper:

Investigators arrested 21-year-old Tasheem Douglas in connection with the shooting. Douglas was also injured in the gunfire and remains in the hospital. Police believe he fired the shot that killed the 16-year-old. 

Douglas was charged with second-degree murder, police said. He was also arrested earlier this year allegedly with a gun on the grounds of an elementary school.

Officers are searching for a second shooter they believed was involved in the incident. 

ManassasVirginia Crime