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QUEEN CREEK, AZ (AZFamily) — A lengthy police report and new 911 calls released on Thursday afternoon offer new insight into the night when 16-year-old Preston Lord was attacked at a Halloween party in Queen Creek and died two days later.

The police report is more than 1,100 pages long and details the hundreds of interviews police conducted with witnesses, suspects, and possible leads.

Chilling 911 calls

Queen Creek Police Department released the 911 calls from October 28th, 2023 when a large Halloween house party turned deadly.

The 911 calls total more than 40 minutes. The first calls are about a large house party. “There has to got to be at least 250 kids here,” said one caller. “We’re not used to this.”

Another caller said there were 30 cars.

Another person who called 911 said the kids were armed. “Someone’s going to get hurt. Someone’s going to get killed,” the caller said. “These kids have weapons on them.”

Multiple people called about the party and the chaos. “We’ve got kids running with beer bottles. They’re hitting each other. We just saw two car accidents. I think they’re two drunks,” one woman told a 911 dispatcher.

Police said officers didn’t notice a big party at the time when the first 911 calls were made or anyone doing anything illegal. Officers left because they reportedly went to a “high-priority” call in another area.

But then, more neighbors called 911, saying a teen was attacked and people were doing CPR.

“How long have they not been breathing for?” asked a dispatcher. “We just, like, about, like two, three minutes ago, since we called you,” the caller responded.

Witnesses said several certified lifeguards were trying to help Lord. They said they felt a pulse but Lord wasn’t breathing.

One 911 caller said he was friends with Lord.

“Did you see the people that assaulted them? Did you see them well enough to get any description? Or did you not see it actually happen?” asked the dispatcher.

“They all had ski masks on,” he replied.

“How many was it?” the dispatcher asked.

“A lot,” the friend said.

“Four or five? Or more?” the dispatcher asked.

“Like 15,” he said.

The friend went on to say that other people at the party told him not to call 911. He said he was scared and didn’t want his friend to die.

He also mentioned another one of his friends had a broken wrist.

When the operator asked him if he knew those attackers, he said he didn’t know them, and they didn’t have any “beef.” However, court records earlier this month said the attackers knew Lord before the party.

In Lord’s GoFundMe, his family credited the group of teen lifeguards with trying to save his life.

Emergency crews showed up and Lord was taken to the hospital. He died on Oct. 30.

The evidence against the suspects

Seven suspects, Treston Billey, Talyn Vigil, Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, William Owen Hines, Taylor Sherman and Dominic Turner, were arrested earlier this month in connection to Lord’s death.

Police said messages and Snapchats sent by the suspects in Lord’s death made up much of the digital evidence that helped lead to their arrests.

The documents lay out a timeline, including who police believe did what in the fight, how they were caught, and the fallout from the investigation. They include witness interviews and confessions from some of the suspects to detectives.

All seven suspects have pleaded not guilty.(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office/Pool)

Investigators believe a fight over a gold chain led up to the deadly attack on Lord.

According to the police report, “D Money,” later identified as Turner, ripped the chain off.

What witnesses told police

A family friend of Renner then told police, “Talan said he hammer pounded Preston in the face four times and everyone surrounded him and started kicking him.”

That friend went on to tell the police, “Preston is lying face down, someone climbed over and ‘danced on top of him.’”

Another witness interview then reveals more. That person tells detectives, “When the male was on the ground, the group of kids began recording and ‘humping’ the individual on the ground before they all ran away.”

According to screenshots from an eyewitness to police, Snapchat stories show photographs of Billey advising he was the one who stomped on Preston’s head.

In the police report, several witnesses said they saw Billey stomping on Lord when he was already on the ground.

Messages of confession from the suspects

The report also said a witness told police he/she received a Snapchat message from Renner around midnight after the attack, saying he was “in a large fight, killed a kid and did not know his own strength.”

Renner also wrote, “I got in a fight, a big group fight and I accidentally killed a kid.” He goes on to write, “I guess I’m just too strong.”

The report details another Snapchat conversation, where Vigil apparently said, “I hit a kid and this kid hit his head ... and then they kicked his head in the ground and then I got word he died so idk.”

Hines confessed his involvement to police saying, “Straight up bro, I was drunk, heat of the moment, I kicked him one time and I kicked his leg,” the police report said.

He then reportedly admitted, “More like one, two, or three kicks and then started to back off.”

Documents say the suspects left the scene moments after the attack.

Sherman told police in an interview that he, Renner, Meisner and Turner got in his car and took off, the report said.

According to police paperwork, while leaving the scene, Renner told Sherman, “I might have hospitalized that kid,” and “I hit him pretty hard.”

Sherman asked Renner how he knew that and he responded, “I hit, but so did other people,” according to police.

In a social media chat, one message said, “Talen killed someone with his hands,” and another said, “I actually think that kid is actually dead, their was a blanket over him I heard,” the police report said.

Message thread after Lord died

Two days after the attack, the police report shows a redacted text conversation.

One person said, “Bro, that kid died,” and someone responds, “I’ve known D-Money for so long about 7 years.”

The next day, on Halloween, someone wrote, “Tresty or Talen might be getting charged with murder.” That discussion went on to say Billey kicked Preston Lord and that the police have their info, investigators said.

All of the messages were reportedly shared with Renner’s football team. The report said Renner has videos of the attack on his cellphone and he showed that video to his football team and bragged about it.

It was then reported Renner said, “Oh, I put this kid on life support.”

All the suspects pleaded not guilty.

Police started searching some of the suspects’ homes less than a week after the attack.

In December, Queen Creek police recommended charges against seven suspects. The indictments came down on March 6 and 7, with all seven being arrested in a 48-hour span.

Special coverage: East Valley Teen Violence

What charges are each of the suspects facing?

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

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, 2023

Preston Lord passed away at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

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, 2023

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, 2023

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, 2023

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

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023

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, 2023

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, 2023

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

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023

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

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023

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

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023

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, 2023

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.