Friends gather to mourn slain teenager at vigil

Shanna VanArsdall hugs a friend of shooting victim Caitlin Caskey after a vigil late Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, afternoon at Dick Hays Stadium at Ashdown High School. The vigil honored the memory of Caitlin, who was fatally shot Saturday night during a birthday party at a house in the Wallace community in Little River County, Ark.
Shanna VanArsdall hugs a friend of shooting victim Caitlin Caskey after a vigil late Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, afternoon at Dick Hays Stadium at Ashdown High School. The vigil honored the memory of Caitlin, who was fatally shot Saturday night during a birthday party at a house in the Wallace community in Little River County, Ark.

Friends and classmates of Caitlin Caskey held a vigil Tuesday afternoon for the 17-year-old high school student who was fatally shot Saturday night at a birthday party. The event culminated in a balloon release at Dick Hays Stadium at Ashdown, Ark., High School.

Caitlin was allegedly shot by the woman hosting the party for her 16-year-old daughter.

The 17-year-old was a junior at Foreman, Ark., High School but had also attended Ashdown school.

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"The kids have gone from shock to anger," said Shanna VanArsdall, the mother of one of the students who organized the tribute. Her daughter Kaylie VanArsdall along with friend Alexia Rowton, both Ashdown High School students, helped.

Tracie Dierks, 41, was arrested for allegedly firing a rifle as Caitlin and a male friend arrived at the house on state Highway 32 in the Wallace community, between Ashdown and Foreman. The emergency call was made about 9:30 p.m. to Little River County Sheriff's Office.

Arkansas State Police officials are investigating the incident. Charges are pending. Ninth Circuit Court Judge Tom Cooper set Dierks' bond at $100,000, and she remained in the Sevier County, Ark., jail late Tuesday. Criminal charges against Dierks are expected to be filed by next Tuesday.

Kaylie, who is Caitlin's cousin, misses her.

"I wish I could see her one more time," Kaylie said after the balloon release.

She believes the students needed to come together and pay tribute to Caitlin.

"Everyone from Ashdown needed to be together to show our love for Caitlin," Kaylie said. "Caitlin was sweet and outgoing and never was upset. Caitlin could be funny and act like a blonde.

"This was not goodbye. We wanted to tell her, 'I will see you again,'" Kaylie said.

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