Table of Contents
Goons
Sunday Sounds
Sunday Poll
Sunday Carrier
Studio Jali
P.S
The End
Who Are the Gilbert Goons?
It’s the question on everyone’s mind in the second safest suburb in the United States. The Gilbert Goons of Gilbert, Arizona are a classic case of middle-class white teenagers getting Jokerfied and turning to violence. Rumors are the “Goons” a name they came up with themselves, are the sons of higher-ups in the LDS Church, which has a lot of power and sway in the East Valley suburb. The history of the Goons goes back as far as two years ago, but the investigation and arrest of members of the group have been reluctant despite a long history of incidents and suspects. So, really, who are they? And did they kill Preston Lord?
goon1. / (ɡuːn) / noun. a stupid or deliberately foolish person. US informal a thug hired to commit acts of violence or intimidation, esp in an industrial dispute.
Timeline of events related to Preston Lord's death and the Gilbert Goons
Sept. 21, 2021: Goon arrested after shoplifting allegations
A 15-year-old Goon later involved in multiple attacks was arrested on allegations of shoplifting. Police said he stole a display of vape pens from Circle K valued at $1,900. Police reported that he ran from the store and ignored officers who told him to stop. He was charged with shoplifting, which was later dismissed.
Jan. 25, 2022: Goon accused of marijuana possession
The same 15-year-old boy was accused of marijuana possession. He was sentenced to a diversion program.
Dec. 17, 2022: Party assault in Gilbert
Lori Nitzen's 16-year-old son was beaten unconscious by a group of Goons at a party in Gilbert. The Goon previously accused of shoplifting and marijuana possession was named by police as the attacker and was later charged. Gilbert police did not connect him to the Goons.
Dec. 30, 2022: In-N-Out Burger assault in Gilbert
Stephanie Jarnagan's 16-year-old son was attacked outside the Gilbert In-N-Out Burger. The attackers demanded money and threatened to take her son's car, she said. He was hit in the head with brass knuckles and badly hurt. He needed emergency treatment that required staples in his skull. Two Goons were arrested in the assault. Only one — the same boy named as Nitzen's attacker — was charged.
April 2023: Sentencing of attacker of Nitzen and Jarnagan's sons
The Goon charged in the Nitzen and Jarnagan attacks, now 16, is sentenced for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. He acknowledged multiple instances of planning assaults for no reason, according to court records. He was detained for more than three months and then put on probation.
Aug. 18, 2023: Another Gilbert In-N-Out Burger assault
Richard Kuehner's 16-year-old son was attacked at the Gilbert In-N-Out Burger by a group of teens. The attackers confronted Kuehner's son with a barrage of questions before assaulting him, Kuehner said. The attack was caught on video.
Oct. 28, 2023: Halloween party in Queen Creek and attack of Lord
Officers arrived about 9 p.m. at 194th Street and Via del Oro after a report of a "juvenile disturbance." They saw the teenagers but apparently didn't see the party and said they did not notice any illegal activity. Officers were called out of the neighborhood for a "high priority" domestic violence report, officials said. But they were back 49 minutes later after receiving a 911 call about an assault just a few houses away from the first call. They found Lord severely beaten, and he was taken to a hospital. Queen Creek police started investigating the assault.
Oct. 30, 2023: Preston Lord dies
Lord died at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Queen Creek police launched a homicide investigation. The investigation into Lord's death is the department's first homicide case.
Nov. 6, 2023: Police search four houses in Gilbert neighborhood of Whitewing
Officers, led by Queen Creek police, targeted four houses, according to neighbors. Police escorted residents from their homes, letting them sit on curbs as investigators carried out heavy paper evidence bags. The Republic verified the four addresses where searches took place through interviews and photographs provided by neighbors. The names of four boys living in the homes correspond to social media connected to members of the Goons. None has been charged in Lord's death.
Nov. 9, 2023: Candlelight vigil for Lord
Lord was a popular student at Combs High School in nearby San Tan Valley, where he served on the student council and played basketball, football and golf. More than 100 people participated in the vigil for Lord at the school. Dozens of lit candles lined the floor of the school's courtyard as Lord's friends and family shared anecdotes, remembering him as kind and considerate, someone they looked up to.
Nov. 14, 2023: Queen Creek police partner with FBI
Queen Creek police announced a partnership with the FBI to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of people involved in the assault on Lord. The FBI also offered data analysis and a second tip line. Queen Creek police officials said the department had identified multiple "persons of interest."
Mid-November 2023: Video of San Tan Mountain Regional Park attack recorded
A cellphone video of Goons attacking a boy in San Tan Mountain Regional Park was recorded in mid-November. It was shared among a group of high school students. In December, it was posted widely on social media. Pinal County Sheriff's Office is the investigating agency.
Nov. 22, 2023: Queen Creek police offer update
Queen Creek police officials said "significant progress" had been made in their homicide investigation. Specific details could not be released, they said, to protect the integrity of the case. "We understand the community is grieving the loss of a child and you want an arrest. We do too," Queen Creek police Chief Randy Brice said.
Nov. 28, 2023: Hundreds march to 'light up the night' for Lord
Hundreds of community members, family and friends of Lord marched along Queen Creek thoroughfares to mark the one-month anniversary of the attack that led to his death.
Nov. 29, 2023: Agency says it is working to gather 'proof beyond a reasonable doubt'
The day after hundreds of people marched down sidewalks in Queen Creek to mark the one-month anniversary of the attack that led to the death of Preston Lord, the town's police department assured the community it is working to obtain "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" to ensure successful prosecutions. "We understand the community wants an arrest or more information about why an arrest has not taken place," Queen Creek police Chief Randy Brice said in a statement. "While we cannot release information that could compromise the prosecution of this case, I want to reiterate that we want more than just an arrest. We want to ensure that those involved are convicted."
Dec. 6, 2023: Queen Creek police chief, Town Council address community
Finding justice for Lord was Queen Creek's top priority, Mayor Julia Wheatley said at the outset of a Town Council meeting. Brice said police were awaiting a medical examiner's report about Lord that could be months away because of the complexity of the case.
Dec. 12, 2023: People turn out to Gilbert Town Council meeting to talk about teen violence
Gilbert police Chief Michael Soelberg acknowledged feelings of fear and frustration in the community. He said it would be inappropriate to comment about the Queen Creek Police Department's investigation into Lord's death. He encouraged people to report any concerns about violence in Gilbert to his department.
Dec. 16, 2023: Republic reports Gilbert police reopen Goon attack case
Gilbert police reopened a shelved investigation into the beating of a student by members of the Gilbert Goons after an Arizona Republic report. The boy's father said on Dec. 15 that police notified him the case was active again, after it was set aside as "inactive pending additional investigative leads."
[Timeline - Robert Anglen, Elena Santa Cruz, Miguel Torres Arizona Republic]
What is the opposite of a crime of opportunity? When the only reward is the thrill and rush of power. What compels people to do this? How does a kid from Queen Creek get beaten to death at a high school party by a suburb “gang”? What will the outcome of the Preston Lord case be? Time will tell.
Sunday Sounds
It’s been a throwback week for me. I’ve been listening to a lot of 90s rap, Gang Starr specifically. I’ve heard so many good songs from their album “Moment of Truth” through the Spotify algorithms that I need to take a day and listen to the entire project in full. There’s something about soulful old-school rap in December that just does it for me.
If you don’t love 90s rap and winter as much as me, that’s okay. This is a cozy winter song with Lofi vibes that can make up for it.
And lastly, because this Sunday is Christmas Eve and I haven’t said anything about it yet. Merry Christmas Eve. Here’s a Christmas song my mom likes that she heard in a commercial that had llamas.
Closing Sunday Sounds, is Sapiens: A brief history of mankind. I am three hours in and each chapter has made me think about humans and their evolution in the world in ways that I hadn’t even cared to be interested in before. So far, it’s been a story of ruthless survival, evolution as a species, immeasurable feats, and harsh but accurate observations. It’s incredible and my audiobook of the week.
Sunday Poll
Voting is free and anonymous. All it takes is a subscription. (That’s free too).
This week, Minnesota finalized its new state flag.
You only have one week to vote. Results will be reviewed and discussed in next week’s edition.
Sunday Carrier
Israel-Palestine Human Rights Watch
Gilbert Goons Full Timeline & Story
Biden Pardons Marijuana Offenses
Oklahoma Man Who Spent 48 Years In Prison For Murder Ruled Innocent
The Minnesota Timberwolves are 22-6
STUDIO JALI
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Weekly Report:
Season 2 of Uncredited on track to debut in February 2024
Short film “Rob Rabbit” hopeful to begin production in March 2024
PS
It’s the end of Pen Sunday, edition #60. If you reached the end, thank you for reading. It means a lot.
Pen Sunday is a newsletter about me, music I listen to, headlines from around the world, a blurb about Studio Jali, and maybe a poem. Weekly snapshots of life in writing—a blog. Every Sunday and Sunday only. Subscribe for free below.
Until Sunday,
Solomon Lovejoy
P.S) Merry Christmas