Family, friends mourn teenage girl shot and killed near Glenview, Illinois

Grief counselors were at Glenbrook South High School on Monday as students head back to school from spring break, and the community continues to mourn the loss of 16-year-old Lilly Bova.

This, as Cook County Sheriff's police detectives are continuing their search for a person of interest 

Bova was shot and killed inside her apartment around 11 a.m. on Saturday. She was finishing up her sophomore year at Glenbrook South High School.

According to the sheriff's office, they found the teen with a gunshot wound after being called to the apartment. First responders did CPR and rushed Bova to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where she died.

On Monday, detectives were searching for a person of interest.

Meanwhile, Lilly's dad and friends have been trying to navigate their sudden loss as they pleaded for justice in what they called a murder.

As he set out photos of his daughter on frames in the grass on Sunday, Anthony Bova said he will always remember her as the little girl who liked to dress up.

"She could do anything. She was into everything," said Anthony Bova. "She was a good person."

Lilly's dad said she lived in the complex with her older sister and she was learning to drive. In fact, her dad took her to The Grove in Glenview a couple of weeks ago to practice.

"She was gorgeous," said Madilynn Mendoza. "She was the prettiest girl I knew."

Madilynn was a lifelong friend of Lilly's and lived next to Lilly in the Salem Walk apartments, near Milwaukee and Lake avenues.

"I'm her neighbor," Madilynn said. "I could see into her window."

Authorities have not provided information on the circumstances that led up to the shooting, or whether Lilly knew her shooter, or if the shooting was random.

Laila Milanovic and Sasha Banaban are two of Lilly's Glenbrook South classmates.

"We have a piece of her shirt," Laila said. "We cut into a bracelet."

Laila and Sasha said they met Lilly only a couple of years ago, but her personality was infectious.

"Her energy. She's so bubbly — she brings a smile to everyone's face," said Sasha. "When she walks in a room, everyone wants to talk to her and be around her."

"We're going to be like Lilly," added Laila. "We're going to live like her. We're going to bring her energy. We're going to bring her love into this world."

In a letter to families, Glenbrook South High School officials wrote: "Though Lilly was a quiet spirit, her teachers and those who knew her best said she loved deeply and was bright, positive and mature beyond her years. Her kind-hearted and optimistic nature will be sorely missed."

Grief counselors were to be available on Monday at Glenbrook South High School as the community continues to mourn.

Family told CBS News Chicago that a person of interest was questioned over the weekend, but authorities have not confirmed that information.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cook County Sheriff's police detectives at 708-865-4896.