QUEEN CREEK, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — Seven people have been indicted on charges including murder and kidnapping in connection to the deadly attack on 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Officed confirmed on Thursday night Treston Billey was arrested. He was charged with felony murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery,

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell spoke Wednesday in a late-night news conference detailing the indictments of Talan Renner, William Owen Hines, Talyn Vigil, and Dominic Turner, who have been charged with felony murder and kidnapping charges, Mitchell said. Turner was also charged with aggravated robbery.

“What has happened here today is a massive step forward in the quest for justice for Preston Lord,” Mitchell said.

Arizona’s Family confirmed through court records that a fifth suspect, identified as 19-year-old Taylor Sherman, was taken into custody early Thursday morning. Mitchell announced a sixth arrest, Jacob Meisner, later in the morning. Meisner’s indictment was first reported by KTAR. Booking photos for Meisner, Renner, and Vigil were not immediately released.

Early Thursday morning, Hines, Sherman and Turner made their initial court appearances in front of a Maricopa County judge. For the first time, prosecutors and the Lord family’s attorney also addressed accusations of intimidation.

“For months witnesses were threatened and terrified into silence in this case,” they said in court.

Attorney Russ Richelsoph with Davis Miles Law Firm believes the alleged witness intimidation will be used in trial. “It can be used to show part of the conspiracy,” he said.

During the hearings, the suspects were accused of destroying, attempting to destroy or taking evidence from the scene.

“Oftentimes, in a first-degree murder case, there is an attempt to cover up the crime,” Richelsoph said. “They murder someone and don’t want to get caught.”

He said tampering with evidence could mean wiping videos off their phones or taking them down from social media.

“Investigators do have a way, if they have access to the physical device, they do have a way to access that information,” he said.

Prosecutors also alleged Sherman colluded with others about “the potential story.” “It’s not unusual for co-conspirators to get together to come up with a story,” Richelsoph said.

Ultimately, the judge set a $1 million secured appearance bond for each of the suspects in this case.

Below is the current list of suspects and felony charges each faces:

Treston Billey

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated robbery

William Owen Hines

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Kidnapping

Jacob Meisner

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Aggravated robbery
• Kidnapping

Talan Renner

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Kidnapping

Taylor Sherman

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Kidnapping

Dominic Turner

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Aggravated robbery
• Kidnapping

Talyn Vigil

• First-degree murder (and/or second-degree murder in the alternative)
• Kidnapping

While four are facing the same charges, Meisner and Turner are also charged with aggravated robbery. Richelsoph with Davis Miles Law Firm said it could be stolen evidence, but believes it’s more likely over a material item.

“With teenagers, it’s not unusual ... hats, shoes, clothing items, things like that. You have something, I want it,” he said. “There is an assault and they take it, so it’s likely something like that.”

Mitchell stressed again Thursday, more charges and more arrests could be coming. She said they will follow the evidence and that nothing is off the table.

Preston Lord’s family provided a statement about the initial four indictments through their attorney Wednesday night.

Queen Creek Police officers arrested Renner, Vigil, and Turner on Wednesday. Hines was already in custody and has three pending aggravated assault cases against him, including a DUI-related assault. Authorities allege he used a car to hit a victim in Gilbert on July 6. He was indicted for an alleged attack on a teen boy outside a Gilbert In-N-Out in Dec. 2022. He was also taken into custody for beating a teen boy at a house party a month prior to the In-N-Out attack.

Arizona’s Family News Chopper was over the Whitewing community in Gilbert on Wednesday afternoon, where Queen Creek police and SWAT teams could be seen focusing on a home.

“This was a Herculean effort on the part of the police department,” said Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice. “They put in countless hours, blood, sweat and tears to get to this point, and I’m very proud of what they’ve done.”

The county attorney also blasted critics who said the Queen Creek Police Department and prosecutors were taking too long. “You could not have been more wrong,” Mitchell said. “From the night of the incident, the Queen Creek Police Department has spent hundreds of hours piecing together an extremely complex case that involves dozens of potential players, either suspects, witnesses, or other individuals with knowledge.”

Mitchell said her office got the case in late December and had to review a police report that was about 2,000 pages long. Attorneys also watched 600 pieces of video linked to the case “over and over and over,” Mitchell said.

An investigative grand jury started hearing the case on Feb. 7. On Feb. 14, the jury received the report from the Maricopa County Officer of the Medical Examiner regarding Preston, which determined the cause of death as a “homicide.”

Mitchell said an investigative grand jury is different from a regular grand jury as it allows them to do more investigating. “They can require witnesses to appear in front of them via subpoena. They can subpoena documents and other matters,” Mitchell said.

More arrests could be on the way. “We’re not done,” Mitchell said.

After the indictments were announced, Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg spoke about some of the previous interactions that his officers have had with the alleged suspects. Since two of those accused are under 18, specific details on those arrests are limited.

How it all began

Lord was brutally beaten outside a Halloween party in a Queen Creek neighborhood on Saturday, Oct. 28. He died the following Monday at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Two days after his death, on Nov. 1, Queen Creek police announced the teen’s death was being investigated as a homicide. The FBI joined the investigation about two weeks later. In late December, QCPD confirmed charging referrals had been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office against a total of seven kids and adults.

Lord’s death was officially ruled a homicide last month, but the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has not yet released specific details about the nature of his injuries.

The homicide of Preston Lord is one of numerous investigations involving teen violence in the East Valley. Tap/click here for full coverage.

Preston Lord Homicide Timeline of Events

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023

• 9:07 p.m.: QCPD’s non-emergency line receives a call about a possible disturbance involving juveniles near 194th and Via Del Oro. Teens were seen leaving the area, but no illegal activity was observed, and officers were diverted to another call.
• 9:49 p.m.: QCPD receives a 911 call about an assault in the area of 194th Street and Via Del Rancho. Officers arrived within three minutes and found a teen lying in the roadway. They administered lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital.

Monday, Oct. 30

• Preston Lord passed away at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

• QCPD announced that officers are investigating the teen’s death and that they are awaiting findings from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office. Police also requested surveillance and doorbell camera video from a half-mile radius of the area between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 28. Residents with video or other information are asked to call (480) 358-3500 or email QCPDInvestigators@QueenCreekAZ.gov.

Wednesday, Nov. 1

• Police announced the teen’s death is now being investigated as a homicide and that officers are working on several leads. QCPD Chief Randy Brice and Cmdr. Mark Newman also dispelled online rumors claiming that officers were already at the party when the attack occurred.

Monday, Nov. 6

• QCPD provided a brief update on the investigation, calling it “complex and far-reaching due to the amount of people involved” while stressing that no arrests have been made.

Wednesday, Nov. 8

• Police said several search warrants have been executed as investigators work towards an arrest.

Thursday, Nov. 9

• Lord’s classmates and friends held a candlelight vigil at Combs High School in San Tan Valley.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

• QCPD announced that “multiple persons of interest” have been identified in Lord’s death. Chief Brice said the department had received hundreds of tips and that the investigation has included “extensive interviews, warrants, and court orders.”
• The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office joined the investigation and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect or suspects. Anyone with photos, videos, or other information is asked to visit fbi.gov/prestonlord or call the FBI’s toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Thursday, Nov. 16

• A group of Queen Creek residents distributed “Light Up the Night” signs, which instruct families to light a candle until Thanksgiving Day for Lord, his family and the safety of all kids.

Wednesday, Nov. 22

• QCPD confirms that no one has been arrested but that “significant progress” has been made in the investigation.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

• Community members hosted a Light the Night Community Walk to mark one month since Lord was beaten.

Wednesday, Dec. 6

• Queen Creek held a town council meeting to discuss Lord’s death and provide updates on search warrants in the investigation.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said the investigation continues and that he understands that it is “incredibly frustrating for the public that there has not yet been an arrest.”

Thursday, Dec. 28

• The Queen Creek Police Department confirmed charges have been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
• Participants in a Light the Night Walk will walk from Mesquite High School to Gilbert police headquarters in honor of Lord and to request more investigation into teen violence.

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024

• Preston Lord’s stepmother spoke at Chandler City Council meeting, calling for action in her son’s case, and said the loss of Preston was “due to unnecessary violence.”
• Queen Creek police continue reviewing evidence, but no suspects have been arrested or detained.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024

• The Queen Creek police chief and mayor both spoke at a Town Council meeting, promising justice for Preston Lord.

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024

• Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell provided an update on the investigation, saying her office is reviewing over 2,000 pieces of digital evidence, including more than 600 videos. She says the work is a “monumental task.”

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024

• Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice spoke with Arizona’s Family, saying arrests in Lord’s death are pending and could happen at any moment.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024

• Preston Lord’s family released a statement, asking the public and media for “patience to ensure the best possible outcome.”
• Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said members of her office and QCPD recently held a full meeting to discuss the status of the investigation.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024

• Lord’s death was officially ruled a homicide by the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner.
• QCPD said officers are looking for a possible witness in the area where Lord was attacked.

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