In the dry expanse of Pinal County, a second suspect has been nabbed for the brutal beating of a 17-year-old boy. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Friday that Garrett Bagshaw, 18, was arrested in Mesa and is now facing charges, reports azfamily.com. He is suspected of joining 20-year-old Jacob Pennington from Gilbert and possibly others in the assault that took place in the desert near Queen Creek on November 18.
According to Sheriff Mark Lamb, the attack occurred near Wagon Wheel Road and Quail Trail, just south of Hunt Highway and Hawes Road. The Sheriff's Office revealed that the suspects punched and kicked the victim, who was later able to flee the scene with help from a friend. Lamb issued a stark warning in an online video to any remaining suspects: "If you had involvement in this case, my advice to you is turn yourself in now because we will find you." Pennington, who was arrested earlier last week, has acknowledged his connection to the "Gilbert Goons", a local group linked to multiple instances of youth violence.
The sweep of arrests this week highlights the mounting concern over teen violence in the East Valley. Two adults and two teens faced charges for an assault in a Gilbert In-N-Out parking lot, while another 17-year-old was apprehended for a separate attack in Mesa. KTAR.com reports the timeline of violent incidents, including the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord after a Halloween party in Queen Creek, which has sparked an intensified crackdown on local youth violence.
