SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED OVER THE DEATH OF A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY THEY HAD NEVER MET BEFORE
On Saturday 28 October 2023, a high-school student threw a Halloween party at her home in Queen Creek, Arizona. It was meant to be a fun event for a small group of friends, but somewhere along the line, things got terribly out of hand. Between 100 and 200 people descended, and police were twice called to the address. The first time they found nothing suspicious and left. But when they were called to the property again, 16-year-old Preston Lord was lying in the road, badly beaten. He later died in hospital.
Last month, seven people –all of them aged between 17 and 20 –were charged with first-degree murder. But it transpired that none of the accused had ever so much as seen their alleged victim before.
OUT OF CONTROL
The unnamed home owner –who may face potential criminal charges –spoke to US press after Preston’s tragic death. He revealed many of the partygoers were total strangers, saying, “My daughter did not know more than half the people who ended up showing up to our house. It was not meant to be an open party.”
He added, “This has been very hard –we can’t sleep. We are just constantly thinking about [Preston] and his family.”
According to their neighbours, things spiralled out of control after teenagers from multiple schools showed up. One eyewitness told US news crews, “[There were] open containers, alcohol, drinking. Ihad teenagers puking in my front yard. We were taking care of them.” Police were first called to a disturbance at around 9pm, but finding nothing, they left to go to another scene. However, after receiving a report of an assault, they returned to the property and found Preston severely injured –at one point, the teenager’s heart stopped. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he was found to have a severe brain injury. He died on 30 October.
Despite soon receiving a number of anonymous tip-offs suggesting identities for the multiple assailants, it took months for the police to piece together exactly what had transpired, leading to widespread criticism about the lack of progress. In November, the Queen Creek Police Department issued a statement saying, “We are continuing to make progress on the homicide investigation as a result of the incident that took place on 28 October. While the police department needs probable cause for an arrest, a successful prosecution requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is extensive, intricate and complex, and it continues to be a top priority for the department, ensuring thoroughness and a
