A 16-year-old Gilbert teen, Preston Lord, died after being assaulted outside a restaurant in October 2025, officials said. The attack, documented in a 143-page police report, led to multiple arrests and charges, including first-degree murder and kidnapping, as authorities investigated coordinated teen violence in the East Valley.
Authorities charged multiple suspects in connection with the assault and death of Preston Lord, a 16-year-old Gilbert teen attacked outside a restaurant in October 2025. Among those charged, Talan Renner, born in January 2005, faces first-degree or second-degree murder and kidnapping charges and is being tried as an adult despite being a juvenile. Dominic Turner was also charged as an adult with aggravated robbery, murder, and kidnapping. The Queen Creek Police Department recommended charges against seven suspects in December related to the beating death, and Christopher Fantastic, 18, was arrested on January 10 in connection with an assault that occurred in the In-N-Out restaurant parking lot.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, six people were indicted for Lord’s death, with charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery.
The assault on Lord, which resulted in severe injuries leading to his death, was detailed in a 143-page police report that documented the incident and the suspects’ actions afterward. The attack prompted a community “Light the Night” event on November 28, 2025, to honor Lord and raise awareness about teen violence in the East Valley. Officials said the incident served as a catalyst for broader investigations into coordinated teen violence across the region.
Law enforcement agencies have identified a group of teens calling themselves the “Gilbert Goons” as being involved in a string of violent attacks dating back to 2022. The Gilbert Police Department confirmed awareness of the group through social media references in mid-December 2025 and launched an investigation to determine whether the group qualifies as a criminal street gang. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg stated that his department is coordinating with surrounding agencies to address the trend. However, police have not confirmed whether all suspects arrested are associated with the Gilbert Goons or if all incidents are connected.
Additional arrests related to teen violence in the East Valley have been made in recent months. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Jacob Pennington for an assault on a teenage boy that occurred on November 18, 2025, an incident recorded and shared on social media. In separate cases, two 17-year-olds, Hailey Stephens and Jamiere Jenkins, were fatally shot in Casa Grande and San Tan Valley, respectively, in late November. Suspects in both shooting deaths were arrested, according to officials. Authorities also reported multiple additional assaults with victims continuing to come forward.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has charged at least 18 cases involving groups beating individuals since December 2025. As of February 2024, 19 individuals, both adults and juveniles, faced 52 total counts across 27 open cases. Nine people were indicted across seven cases for assault in Gilbert and the broader East Valley. Among those indicted were Kyler Matthew Renner, Cody Michael Kostoryz, and Gage Silas Garrison for incidents occurring on December 17, 2022. Tyler Allen Freeman and William Owen Hines were charged with assaulting a victim at a party on November 22, 2022.
Law enforcement agencies in the East Valley have made 26 arrests related to teen violence as of February 2024. In early January, the Gilbert Police Department announced it would reopen several shelved teen violence cases. The East Valley Fusion Center facilitates information sharing among agencies on criminal investigations and gang activity. Despite ongoing incidents, Mesa Police confirmed that no bulletins about teen violence were issued in 2023. This has raised questions about coordination and information sharing between neighboring law enforcement agencies.
Community response to the violence has included advocacy and public demonstrations. East Valley parents began attending council meetings wearing orange in December 2025 to support Preston Lord’s family and speak out against teen violence. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has announced proposals in response to attacks linked to the Gilbert Goons. Public calls for justice intensified following Lord’s murder, contributing to multiple arrests stemming from months of coverage and community pressure.
Authorities continue to investigate the scope of coordinated teen violence in the East Valley. Police and prosecutors are working to determine the full extent of the Gilbert Goons’ activities and whether additional suspects should be charged. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement agencies maintaining collaboration to address the ongoing issue.
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