NKY Teen Accused of Killing Girlfriend Tried to Blame Uncle and Fled to Ohio, Prosecutors Say
KENTON COUNTY, KY — A Northern Kentucky teenager is now being prosecuted as an adult after investigators say he fatally shot his 15-year-old girlfriend, tried to shift blame onto a family member, and then fled across state lines.
Brian Pascual, now 16, is charged with murder in Kenton County Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty during his Nov. 17 arraignment. He was 15 at the time of the shooting.
Pascual was initially charged in juvenile court before a grand jury indicted him on a single adult murder charge on Nov. 6.
Prosecutors: Teen Tried to Blame Uncle, Destroyed Cellphone, and Fled to Ohio
According to court documents, Pascual shot Tristen Smith, 15, on the evening of July 21 at a home on Autumn Road in Elsmere. Prosecutors say he then asked his mother to lie to police by blaming the shooting on his uncle, who lived at the residence.
After the killing, Pascual fled the scene with the gun. He later admitted to discarding the weapon at an unknown location — investigators were never able to recover it.
Prosecutors say Pascual traveled to Ohio that same night, where witnesses reported he intentionally destroyed his cellphone to avoid being traced. He was arrested just before 1 a.m. on July 22.
During questioning, Pascual admitted Smith was his girlfriend and said the two had been arguing about text messages he had sent to “another female.” Officials say his explanations of what happened were inconsistent and contradictory.
Investigators also found evidence of intimate partner violence throughout the couple’s relationship.
In Jail, Teen Allegedly Used Illegal Phone and Contacted Victim’s Family
While in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, Pascual allegedly obtained an illegal cellphone and made public comments about the shooting on social media.
Prosecutors say he also used friends to contact Smith’s family on his behalf.
Court records list Pascual as a student at Dixie Heights High School.
Prosecutors have requested a higher bond due to concerns about Pascual’s behavior and attempts to influence the case.
He is currently held on a $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 3 before Judge Kathy Lape.
Who Was Tristen Smith?
Tristen Smith was described by family as a vibrant, joyful, and outgoing teenager who loved cheerleading and dance. She was a rising sophomore at Harrison High School and previously cheered for Campbell County Middle School.
“Every word that you could think of was my daughter: bubbly, outrageous, just the list goes on,” her mother, Suzanne Smith, told The Enquirer. “She was contagious.”
Since her death, Smith’s family has been raising awareness about intimate partner violence among teens and the dangers of youth access to firearms.
In her honor, they launched the Tristen’s Angels Toy Drive, collecting donations through Christmas Eve at the Frisch’s on Kyle’s Lane in Covington, with gifts to be delivered to local hospitals.
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