SURPRISE, AZ — Surprise Police have identified two teenagers in connection with a case ABC15 first broke in April, when a 15-year-old boy was ambushed and beaten by multiple people at a house party.
“He felt like he was going to die,” the mother of the Surprise teen, who does not want to be identified for safety reasons, said.
Police confirm they are investigating videos of the attack on April 4th near Sarival Avenue and Greenway Road. They believe the victim was threatened at gunpoint.
Police say a teenager was taken into custody at the end of April without incident. They have identified and charged an additional juvenile in connection with the attack. Due to the suspects' ages, Police say they are unable to identify them.
Police have determined the circumstances of the case meet the criteria for charges under what’s known as “Preston’s Law.” The law was created after investigators say 16-year-old Preston Lord was beaten and killed by a group of teenagers at a Queen Creek party in 2023.
In a statement, Surprise Police tell ABC15:
"This remains a very active and ongoing investigation. Detectives are working diligently to identify everyone involved and ensure all appropriate charges are pursued. As part of this investigation, detectives have determined that the circumstances of this case meet the criteria for charges under Arizona's Preston's Law.
"Investigations of this nature are often complex and time-consuming. Detectives continue to review digital evidence, execute and analyze search warrants, process information obtained through legal processes, and follow up on investigative leads. These steps are critical to ensuring a thorough investigation and identifying all individuals involved.”
The mother of the victim in this case says she is relieved Preston’s Law is being applied.
"I felt I relieved that the charges were going to be that, because it is what happened to my son. He was swarmed by more than 10 individuals at this party, so I'm just relieved that that's going to be a part of this case,” she said. "Now that they're going to apply this to these teenagers, others will understand that you cannot do this. You cannot attack kids
The law creates tougher penalties for certain group attacks, including mandatory sentencing and possibility of teens being charged as adults.
Still, that says she will keep busing for everyone involved to be held accountable. Based on videos she’s seen and conversations with police, she believes around 11 teens attacked her son.
“The faces of the other ones are visibly shown,” she said. “Because of the fact that there's no accountability, I feel like these kids feel like they're invincible.”
Police confirm several people were involved. From the start, the Surprise Police Department said detectives are working diligently to identify everyone in the case and ensure they are held accountable.
“Our investigators have a lot of video evidence to go through, but it's going to be a painstaking task to identify some of those people involved,” Sgt. Rick Hernandez said in April. “They're working with some of the resources we have within our department, from our Real-Time Information Center Analyst, they're working with our School Resource Officers.”
Police are still asking anyone with photos or videos to come forward.
“We have the text messages. We have the Snapchats. We have all of these videos,” Adam Ashby, an attorney at JacksonWhite Law, said. “If they collect the evidence the way they should, I believe that there should be over 10 kids, at least 10, that are charged under Preston Lord's Law and put into adult court."
Ashby is representing the boy who was beaten.
“I also understand that they want to make sure they get it right,” Ashby said. “In the Gilbert Goons case with Preston Lord, it took them months to arrest these boys. So I'm hoping that Surprise PD is not saying, 'I'm so sorry we don't have enough evidence.”
“It's only by the grace of God, in my opinion, that he wasn't killed exactly how Preston Lord was, because this was dozens of kids. You've seen the footage. He's running for his life,” he said.
Ashby says he sees dangerous teen violence cases in cities across the Valley, and it’s something parents need to have conversations about with their kids.
“These assaults need to stop. And the only way they'll stop is if people are held accountable,” Ashby said.
ABC15 has reported on other cases where Preston’s Law was ultimately taken off the table through plea deals.
"It’s unfortunate if they get anything less than what they should,” the mother of the 15-year-old victim in Surprise said. "I want prosecutors to see every single video. I truly feel like it was a miracle that he made it home, and I want every person involved to be investigated.
After the 15-year-old suffered a concussion, a broken nose, and bruises, his mom also fears this is a public safety issue.
“I’m very worried for someone else. Every time it's Friday, I'm like, ‘oh my God, I hope it doesn't happen again this weekend,’” she said. “I do see some of the teenagers on social media, and they still have their guns. They're still flashing their guns on social media, and I'm just scared. I'm scared it's going to happen again.”
Surprise Police say detectives continue to review digital evidence, execute and analyze search warrants, and follow leads as they work to identify all individuals involved. They encourage anyone with information to come forward, including parents or teens who may have photos or videos related to this incident.
Information can be shared by contacting Surprise Police at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477), or by emailing crimetips@surpriseaz.gov, reference incident #260400178.
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