TL/DR –
A grand jury in Maricopa County has indicted four suspects in the murder case of Preston Lord. The suspects, William Owen Hines, an adult, and three minors Talan Renner, Dominic Turner, and Talyn Vigil, are each being charged as adults with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and felony murder, with Turner also facing charges of aggravated robbery. The suspects are allegedly part of a gang known as Gilbert Goons, accused of random assaults in the East Valley area, with the investigation, led by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Queen Creek Police Department, ongoing to arrest all culprits.
Four Indicted in Preston Lord Homicide Investigation in Phoenix
Four people, including three minors charged as adults, were indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday in the Preston Lord murder case, according to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. The suspects are William Owen Hines and minors Talan Renner, Dominic Turner and Talyn Vigil.
All suspects face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and felony murder, with Turner also charged with aggravated robbery. According to Mitchell, the investigation has been time-consuming but persistent, with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) and Queen Creek Police Department working collaboratively.
Reports of SWAT teams in East Valley neighborhoods preceded the official announcement. Queen Creek Police Chief, Randy Brice, remarked that this homicide investigation was “extremely fast.”
Community Reacts to Youth Violence in East Valley
The deceased, 16-year-old Lord, was reportedly attacked by a gang of youths during a Halloween party in Queen Creek last October, sparking local outrage over escalating youth violence. Parents linked the violence to a youth gang known as the Gilbert Goons, rumored to be responsible for random assaults across Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa and other areas, sometimes using brass knuckles.
A comprehensive police report was submitted by the Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) to the MCAO on December 28, with the case file containing approximately 1,800 pages and around 2,000 pieces of evidence. Though four suspects are named, Brice affirmed the investigation continues as they actively work on making arrests.
Follow @KTAR923 for updates on the ongoing investigation. If you have any useful information on this case, provide it to the KTAR News team.
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