QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — The Queen Creek Police Department is referring charges against seven people to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in connection with the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord.
"While charges have been submitted for review, the investigation continues and the public is encouraged to submit any new tips," Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said Thursday.
Lord died after being assaulted at a Halloween Party in Queen Creek on Oct. 28. His death sparked walks for justice by the community, including one happening Thursday night from Mesquite High School to the Gilbert Police Department.
The announcement came hours before more than a hundred people, including the Lord family, walked from a Gilbert high school to the police department with the goal of raising awareness and demand answers for the brutal attack.
Some of those residents like Jessica McGinley were relieved to finally here action being taken.
"I cried today with the news and I'm very happy to hear it," McGinley said.
Lord's family did not comment on the submitted charges Thursday night. When asked about the update they said they could not talk about it at this time.
Two months and no arrests
Queen Creek PD said last week they were continuing to work towards arrests and are actively following up on all leads.
However, Chief Randy Brice noted some were refusing to cooperate.
"Some parents have actively refused to let their children participate in the investigation. We need people to come forward and stand up for Preston," Brice said.
There were 100-200 people at the party the night Lord was assaulted, police said, making it a large investigation.
After Lord's death, members of the Queen Creek and Gilbert communities began posting videos of other violent assaults on teens by other teens in the area.
Community members said several groups of teens, including one that refers to themselves as the "Gilbert Goons", have been terrorizing the community and hurting children.
Gilbert police have since reopened four teen assault cases that have occurred in the area. A Gilbert PD spokesperson told 12News initially they did not have any cases where the victims or suspects referred to the "Gilbert Goons", however recent updates from victims now refer to their assailants as being associated with the group.
Bianca Buono and Chase Golightly contributed to this report.
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