INDIANAPOLIS — There are still some items from a Halloween party scattered across the parking lot of a business on the city's north side.
Police said it is what's left after multiple people open fired during the party just after midnight on Sunday, killing a 16-year-old girl and injuring nine other people, including five other teenagers.
"Many people ran up to the officers with injuries. Many people were distraught and in the midst of suffering a lot of trauma," IMPD North District Commander Matt Thomas said.
According to police, the event was allegedly promoted on Snapchat and brought in more than 100 people.
When the shots rang out, chaos ensued, prompting a Level 1 mass casualty response by Indianapolis EMS.
"You'll start getting, obviously, the responding ambulances. You'll get the responding fire apparatus. You'll often start getting a level of command, oftentimes a battalion chief. From the IEMS side of the house, you'll get a district lieutenant, which is a supervisory paramedic," said Chief Dan O'Donnell, with Indianapolis' Emergency Medical Services.
O'Donnell said when crews respond to events like these, emotions are high, and the situation could be dangerous.
"You know, obviously, they have to see where the patients are and identify what injuries are there, but you have to first figure out what's safe and where is it safe to be and how can they appropriately place themselves that they can provide care in a safe and effective manner," O'Donnell said.
IMPD confirmed they are still trying to determine who is responsible for the shooting and what led up to it.
"Somebody saw something. Somebody recorded something on their cellphone," IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said. "I'm begging you to come forward with information. No one deserves to die at 16 years old because they go to a party."
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Gregory Taylor at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email Gregory.Taylor2@indy.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
In their press conference, IMPD repeatedly pointed out that the party was spread on Snapchat and Cash App. And they urged parents to track their teens' activities on those apps.
In September, Snapchat revealed new safety features for the app. This includes warning teens if they are "friending" a possible stranger, and blocking younger teens from finding people they don't have multiple friends in common with.
Snapchat is also announcing a "strike" system for public content that isn't age appropriate.
If you and your teen sign up for the Snapchat family center, you can see who your teen is communicating with - but the content of their messages will still be private.
Snapchat does have a process for law enforcement to get ahold of messages during investigations.
Common Sense Media has a guide for parents when it comes to Snapchat safety.
Just over two years ago, Cash App opened up for teens as young as 13. Users under 18 are blocked from many features, but they can still exchange money. Web security company McAfee has 10 safety tips for teens using the app.