An 18-year-old man, implicated in a violent melee that left a South Arizona community reeling, now stares down the barrel of the justice system facing additional charges for a separate attack. Christopher Fantastic, already in hot water for his alleged role in a Gilbert assault last August, was apprehended once again on Tuesday for his suspected involvement in another violent incident in Mesa back in May 2023.
Mesa Police, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, responded to a brawl involving 30-40 young individuals near Val Vista and Southern. While most fled, a few remained, providing limited details. It wasn't until January that authorities pieced together witness accounts and video evidence to identify Fantastic and a 17-year-old accomplice.
Fantastic, the East Valley teenager, faced legal issues twice recently. Firstly, Gilbert Police arrested Fantastic on January 9 for an assault at a parking lot near Williams Field Road and Market Street, dating back to last summer. Additionally, three others, including two 16-year-olds, were apprehended by police in connection to the incident linked to the notorious 'Gilbert Goons,' as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The so-called ‘Gilbert Goons’ controversy has rocked the community, forcing law enforcement to delve deeper into the group's alleged connections. The Gilbert Police Department acknowledged receiving victim reports that branded their attackers under the ‘Gilbert Goons’ banner. And now, their joint forces with Arizona's Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission and other local units, look to classify the ‘Gilbert Goons’ and root out gang activity under state law, according to the same source.
As of now, Fantastic finds himself lodged at the Maricopa County jail, where he faces charges not only for the Gilbert assault but also for aggravated robbery tied to the same event, detailed by ABC15. The narrative of teen violence in the East Valley continues to evolve, with ABC15's investigative team on the lookout for new developments.
