Late yesterday, the Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) spoke to media about its continuing investigation of the Oct. 28 assault that resulted in the Oct. 30 death of Combs High School junior Preston Lord, 16, after a Halloween party that got out of control Saturday night near 194th Street and East Via Del Rancho Road in Queen Creek.
QCPD said during yesterday's press conference they are waiting for the findings of the medical examiner, and that "the incident" is being investigated as a homicide.
"QCPD is working several investigative leads. If you have eyewitness information or video of the assault, please call the non-emergency line at 480-358-3500," they said.
“It is also imperative that all of these tips are vetted, particularly because there were multiple large gatherings that same evening and we’re getting video and other information from parties other than this incident,” said Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice. “Please do not post this information online. Send it directly to the police department. These public posts lead to the misidentification and targeting of individuals that may have nothing to do with this incident.”
QCPD has been seeking more information from the public after Preston was assaulted outside of a Queen Creek Halloween house party Saturday night near 194th Street and East Via Del Rancho Road. QCPD originally asked via Facebook for neighbors to come forward with any home surveillance camera footage that shows people or vehicles in the area between Ocotillo Road and Chandler Heights Boulevard and Sossaman and Hawes roads from between 6 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Preston died from what is being reported as "a severe brain injury" Monday afternoon at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
A GoFundMe account HERE that was started Monday morning by Preston's aunt, Melissa Lord, to help with the family's medical, funeral and memorial expenses continues to grow. As of this morning, the goal had increased to $85,000, of which $77,862 has been raised, including a single top donation of $1,100.
Lord wrote on the GoFundMe page:
"My name is Melissa and I am Preston's auntie. First, thank you from the entire Lord family for all of the prayers, messages and love everyone has been sending. It is impossible to get back to everyone, but please know the messages are all read and mean so much. While we can't begin to fathom why something like this would happen to Preston, we know and see each day how much he is loved and the impact he has had on so many.
"Preston was assaulted Saturday night at a Halloween party. His heart stopped and CPR was performed by kids at the party who stepped in to attempt to save Preston's life until emergency personnel arrived. They were able to restart Preston's heart and he was taken to Chandler Regional Hospital. He was then transferred to Phoenix Children's in extremely critical condition with a severe brain injury.
"We know so many have been asking how they can help or what they can possibly do. We hope this site will be able to update everyone and a place people can post messages we will be reading to Preston. Please keep sending prayers and love to Nick, Autumn and Tatum.
"Thank you for loving Preston and for your support, The Lord Family
"*UPDATE- our sweet Preston passed away this afternoon (Monday, Oct. 30) surrounded by those that love and are going to miss him so much. We have no words for the support and love we have been shown. Thank you for loving us and our boy. As memorial service information unfolds I will be sure to post it."
Yesterday's QCPD written statement reads:
"On Oct. 28 at 9:07 p.m. QCPD received a call to the non-emergency line in regards to a juvenile disturbance in the area of Via del Oro and 194th Street. Officers responded to the area and located a number of juveniles leaving the area; no illegal activity was observed. Within a few minutes, the officers on scene were diverted to a high-priority call with a potential crime in progress.
"At 9:49 p.m. QCPD received a 911 call in regards to an assault in the area of 194th Street and Via Del Rancho. Officers arrived on scene in approximately three minutes. QCPD discovered a juvenile victim in the roadway of that area and administered life-saving efforts. He was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Monday, Oct. 30 he passed away in the hospital.
"If you have any information regarding the incident, tips can be reported to 480-358-3575."
QCPD's original release - Tuesday, Oct. 31 reads:
"The Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) is currently conducting a death investigation of a juvenile related to an incident that occurred on Oct. 28.
"On Oct. 28 at 9:07 p.m. QCPD received a call to the non-emergency line in regards to a juvenile disturbance in the area of Via del Oro and 194th Street. Officers responded to the area and located a number of juveniles leaving the area; no illegal activity was observed. Within a few minutes, the officers on scene were diverted to a high-priority call with a potential crime in progress.
"At 9:49 p.m. QCPD received a 911 call in regards to an assault in the area of 194th Street and Via Del Rancho. Officers arrived on scene in approximately three minutes. QCPD discovered a juvenile victim in the roadway of that area and administered life-saving efforts. He was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Monday, Oct. 30 he passed away in the hospital. Due to the age of the victim, the name of the victim is not being released by QCPD.
"As part of the investigation, QCPD requested video from surveillance or doorbell cameras that may have captured footage within a half-mile radius of this area, between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 28.
"No arrests have been made. QCPD is continuing the extensive and active investigation, including awaiting the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s findings.
"If you have any information regarding the incident, including video, please contact QCPD at QCPDInvestigators@QueenCreekAZ.gov or call 480-358-3500."
J.O. Combs Unified School District response, statement
Kayla Fulmer, director of marketing and community relations for the J.O. Combs Unified School District in San Tan Valley, said the district's crisis response team remains on-call and available to offer counseling and resources to students or staff members who seek support since Preston was a junior at Combs High School.
"We are devastated to learn of the sudden loss of a beloved Combs High School student. At this time, our district remains focused on supporting the family members, students, and school communities impacted by this tragedy. Out of respect for the privacy of the family, as well as the active investigation currently underway by the Queen Creek Police Department, no additional details will be shared at this time.
"Our crisis team remains on-call and available to assist students and staff members who seek support during this difficult time. We ask that every member of our community join us in extending our deepest condolences and support to the family, as well as all who are affected by this tragedy.
"We also continue to encourage anyone with information regarding the case to reach out to the Queen Creek Police Department non-emergency line at (480) 358-3500 or email QCPDInvestigators@
This story is developing and will be updated as more information comes in from the QCPD.
