GILBERT, Ariz. — Talan Renner, one of seven suspects accused of killing Preston Lord back in October, was allowed to play in his high school's football game in the weeks after the attack. The 17-year-old was named player of the game.
That game was on Nov. 17. Previously, an American Leadership Academy (ALA) Gilbert North spokesperson told 12News, at that time, there was no evidence or arrests involving any ALA students.
Newly obtained records show, however, that in the week before the game, Renner was served a search warrant for his cellphone and DNA while on ALA's campus.
From search warrant to star football player
Lord, 16, was the victim of a group-style assault the night of Oct. 28 outside of a Halloween party in Queen Creek. He died from his injuries two days later.
Queen Creek Police Department's report into its investigation reveals on Oct. 31, Renner's parents pulled him out of school early. The report says Renner's family had advised the school that people were calling Renner a murderer on social media. He was absent for the rest of the week.
On Nov. 2, records show Kenneth Thorley, the dean of students at ALA Gilbert North, contacted Queen Creek PD to report that he had heard from students about Renner's alleged involvement in Lord's death.
By Nov. 6, Renner was back on campus and so were investigators with Queen Creek PD. According to their report, after making contact with Thorley, detectives approached Renner at school. After requesting to speak with his father, police learned his father had already obtained a lawyer and would not be allowing Renner to speak with police.
Police had already obtained a search warrant which was executed. They took his cellphone, photographs and DNA.
Officers noted Renner had "minor discoloration to his right and left hands on the knuckles and a small cut on his left hand near his wrist area."
On Nov. 17, Renner played in ALA Gilbert North's football game against Horizon. It was the 5A quarterfinals and ALA lost. Renner was named one of the players of the game.
In January, ALA Gilbert North "parted ways" with head football coach and athletic director Randy Ricedorff. Neither the school nor Ricedorff provided additional details about his departure.
RELATED: ALA-Gilbert North parts ways with Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Randy Ricedorff
In early March, when 12News asked ALA about its decision to allow Renner to play, a spokesperson said in part, "Regarding ALA sporting events that took place in November of 2023, there was no evidence or arrests at that time involving any ALA students."
But when 12News followed up Friday, the spokesperson sent an updated statement, saying as new evidence came to light, "measures were taken to remove the student from our school and we terminated the football coach."
"American Leadership Academy celebrates with the community that the perpetrators of these crimes are being brought to justice. At all times during the investigation, ALA cooperated with and followed the guidance from law enforcement. As new evidence came to light, measures were taken to remove the student from our school and we terminated the football coach. Teen violence is a despicable plague that has infected many schools in our community. We have had and will maintain a zero tolerance policy when it comes to violence."
The decision to allow Renner to play came under scrutiny by many in the East Valley.
"When we as coaches and deans and assistant principals and principals uphold an athlete that has violated the code of conduct and violated the law, and then we allow them to play, and then celebrate them as player of the game, we are doing a complete disservice to other athletes who are pulling their weight," said Katey McPherson, a community activist and teen mental health advocate.
McPherson wrote a letter of concern to ALA Gilbert North after the football game in question about Renner's continued role on the team and the message it sends.
"I think superintendents are now very aware there needs to be a new set of rules and conditions," McPherson said. "And they have a natural consequence of not being able to play."
Renner and all other suspects accused of Lord's murder have pleaded not guilty.