The anguish in the Chandler community reached a boiling point as families of teen violence victims called for a collaborative effort to halt the tragic loss of young lives. At a recent Chandler City Council meeting, the pain of these losses was put into stark relief by Nick Lord, whose son Preston was the victim of a brutal attack in East Valley last year that ultimately claimed his life.
Stricken by grief but resolute in his plea, Nick Lord implored city leaders, "What else can be done to prevent this in our community?” He emphasized the widespread impact of youth violence, which has undoubtedly shaken the community to its core, as ABC15 reported. Responding to the outcry, the Chandler City Council passed a resolution denouncing teen violence and committed to fostering programs aimed at maintaining a safe and healthy environment for their young residents.
The urgency to find answers to Preston Lord’s death was echoed by Queen Creek Police Department Chief, Randy Brice. Despite a comprehensive review of the case, which led to recommended charges against seven individuals, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office has yet to bring any arrests or closure to the case. County Attorney Rachel Mitchell emphasized patience and requested the public's assistance for more information. Echoing this sentiment, Chief Brice highlighted at a Town Council meeting the ongoing nature of the investigation and the importance of new or additional information. “We're not done," Chief Brice stated, indicating the complexity of piecing together evidence from what he described as a non-linear case involving hundreds of interviews and tips, according to an interview with ABC15.
The extensive use of social media has injected unprecedented complexity into the investigation. “So I'll be honest with you, this is unprecedented for me," Chief Brice admitted, noting his over three decades in law enforcement and the transformative effect of social media on police work. The Queen Creek PD chief called the sheer volume and nature of information on social media “unprecedented” when it comes to deciphering what's relevant to the case. Anyone with tips on teen violence in the Valley, they are encouraged to reach out via email to [email protected].
