The tragic loss of 16-year-old Preston Lord has galvanized the East Valley community to confront the surge of teen violence and the specter of a youth gang known as the Gilbert Goons. In response to their son's untimely death, the family of Preston has channeled their grief into action by founding "Justice for Preston Lord"—a nonprofit aimed at continuing his legacy through community engagement and educational initiatives, as ABC15 reports.
On the legal front, one of the seven suspects, 19-year-old William Owen Hines, has accepted a plea agreement for manslaughter, and his sentencing is slated for May 2; meanwhile, the six other suspects have pleaded not guilty, with their trial set for July. In the words of Melissa Ciconte, Preston's stepmother, "We don't know what the final sentences will be, but it's a start for justice for Preston," she told ABC15.
Justice for Preston Lord has already made strides in the community, such as providing scholarships and hosting CPR classes, the skill that allowed Preston's parents to bid their son farewell. Steeped in significance, the next CPR class is scheduled for April at Basha High School, aiming to train 200 kids aged 11 to 18 free of charge. Adding to their outreach, the family has orchestrated a fundraiser in partnership with the Phoenix Suns, centered on the upcoming game against Preston's favorite team, the Boston Celtics; proceeds from this event will be funneled directly to their nonprofit.
The chilling timeline chronicled by KTAR traces the dark thread of violence attributed to the so-called Gilbert Goons, spanning from October 2022 to the present and encompassing assaults across the East Valley. Notably, this suspected gang has become entangled with larger investigations, attracting the attention of higher authorities like the FBI and rendering the threat a pressing issue for local law enforcement. As of January 10, there have been five arrests linked to the violent spree, one of which connected to the Gilbert Goons, with the Gilbert Police Department continuing to solicit public aid in identifying suspects involved in five distinct instances of youth violence.
