Preston Lord was attacked on Oct. 28, 2023 and passed away two days later. Mayor Julia Wheatley and Chief Randy Brice shared the following:
"Oct. 28 is a day that will forever be remembered by so many people. The senseless attack on Preston Lord that took place on Oct. 28, 2023 changed his family, his friends, his teammates, his classmates, our community and our region.
My heart continues to grieve - his family continues to be in my heart, especially today, and as the process continues to hold those responsible for his murder accountable.
As a community, we must continue to come together to address teen violence and stand up and say violence will not be tolerated. The support from the community for Preston and his family gives me hope - and so does the commitment to helping our youth feel heard and, most importantly, safe.
To our youth, keep being a positive influence. Keep standing up for what is right.
On this one-year mark, I ask the community to remember Preston - a young life taken too soon, be kind to one another and please, come together to support our youth."
- Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley
"Today, as we recognize the anniversary of this tragic event, it is essential that we remember Preston. As a parent, a member of this community, and your Chief of Police, this senseless loss continues to weigh on my heart and mind.
With more than 30 years in law enforcement, I understand the impact crime has on a community, families, and individual victims, especially when it involves the loss of such a young life. Over the past year, we have worked vigorously to ensure justice for Preston, his family, and his friends. However, this would not have been possible without the support of the Lord, family and the community. Thank you.
We must also acknowledge the impact that this heinous crime has had on our department and the entire community. Our work is not done. We need to continue to have conversations about the importance of mental health support for our youth and ways to prevent crime, and we must work together to find and implement solutions. We must remember that it is our collective responsibility to protect and support our youth.
Our department continues to actively participate in conversations with local, state, and federal agencies, building critical community connections, expanding outreach programs, and strengthening our partnerships with local organizations to address teen violence and ensure our youth feel safe and supported. This includes deploying extra patrols in common areas where teens are known to congregate, enforcing laws related to curfew and underage drinking, utilizing school resource officers in all district high schools, and encouraging parents to talk to their teens.
Queen Creek is safe, but no community is immune to crime and violence. Community safety is a shared responsibility, and it requires all community members to work together to find and implement solutions to ensure our community remains a safe place to live.
We urge parents and guardians to promote safety for their teens by setting clear expectations for acceptable behavior, holding them accountable, and providing common sense safety guidelines. Parents, it is essential that you do not facilitate or contribute to any parties that involve illegal activities, including underage drinking, excessive noise, or other violations consistent with unruly gatherings."
Talk to your Teen:
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Encourage open and honest communication.
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If your teen is going out - know where they are going.
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Be aware of your teen's online activities.
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Know their friends.
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Be aware of changes in behavior or mood.
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Talk to your teen about what to do if they witness a crime - call 9-1-1 for an active incident.
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Remind your teens not to sensationalize these crimes by posting recordings of teen violence. Instead, call the police to report the incident.
"Teens should be encouraged to speak up and tell the police or a trusted adult when they see illegal behavior, and they should be encouraged to leave situations that feel unsafe or dangerous.
Our thoughts are with Preston’s family, friends, and everyone affected by this loss. Our department was built on the foundation of community, and we continue to serve with respect, compassion and trust. We remain committed to the safety of our community, especially our youth."
- Queen Creek Chief of Police Randy Brice
For more information on teen resources, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/Teens. Visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/QCPD for more information on parties and gatherings.
