The grim reality of domestic violence has culminated in a hefty prison sentence for a Gilbert man, following the murder of his girlfriend. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Preston Joseph Allen, born December 1992, was sentenced to 38 years for one count of Second Degree Murder and one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, as detailed in a statement released by the county attorney's office.
The conviction stems from a horrifying event that occurred on October 25, 2023, when Allen, in a brazen act of violence, shot his girlfriend thirteen times inside the bedroom of their home. The crime, which unfolded while four children were present in the residence, left an indelible mark on the family—a sorrow that echoes beyond the initial act of violence. Allen, after killing the victim, further terrorized the household by firing at a bed where one of the children was lying. According to statements by the minor in a forensic interview, he had to "squirm" around in the bed to evade the bullets.
The relationship between Allen and the victim was marked by a history of abuse, as documented by a restraining order the victim had filed against him months before her murder. The restraining order listed numerous instances of such abuse. It is a somber reflection of a broken system where even with legal restrictions in place, the ultimate tragedy was not averted.
"On the night of the killing, these children were in their rooms knowing their mother was being killed just a few feet away," County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement that underscores the emotional and psychological scars left on the survivors. "The trauma these four children will have to live with will forever impact their lives." Such a statement stands as a reminder of the lasting effects of domestic violence on all members of a household, especially the most innocent.
Allen will now serve a consecutive sentence for the two felony charges. While justice in a court of law has been handed down, the community continues to grapple with the implications of this act and the necessity for stronger safeguards against domestic violence.
