Search warrants carried out in Queen Creek teen Preston Lord's case, police say
Police said they carried out multiple search warrants in their investigation into the late October killing of 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Queen Creek home during a Halloween weekend party attended by hundreds.
Queen Creek police "has executed several search warrants related to investigative leads and continues to work towards an arrest," the agency said Wednesday in an evening email and Facebook post. "We understand that the community wants quick resolution - as a police department, we are committed to a thorough investigation to hold the appropriate people accountable and bring justice to the family."
Lord died at a hospital two days after an Oct. 28 assault at a house in the area of Via del Oro and 194th Street. Police have not released details on the assault, citing an interest in protecting the homicide investigation and Lord's family.
Officers responded to a "juvenile disturbance" call in the area of the home and found multiple teenagers apparently leaving a home gathering, but none saw a party or any illegal activity, according to police. A high-priority call on a crime in progress at another location dropped a few minutes later, so officers left the area. Just before 10 p.m., a 911 call came in about an assault. Lord was found lying in the roadway seriously injured at that location.
Lord investigation: Death of Preston Lord is first homicide investigation for newly formed Queen Creek police
Some neighbors told The Arizona Republic they saw a body lying on the ground near the stop sign at 194th Street and Via del Rancho. They could not, however, distinguish commotion near the time of the assault from that of a typical party or someone being assaulted.
Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice previously said there were hundreds of teenagers and adults at the party as it broke up.
Investigators "were making good gains" and 76 tips had come in from the community in the days following Lord's death, Queen Creek Police Commander Mark Newman previously said.
Police have asked anyone with information or video relevant to the case to email QCPDInvestigators@QueenCreekAZ.gov or call the nonemergency line at 480-358-3500.
A GoFundMe to benefit Lord was started Oct. 30 by a woman who said she was the boy's aunt. Lord suffered a severe brain injury, according to the fundraiser as of Thursday morning had amassed more than $95,000.
According to the GoFundMe, which was started before Lord died and after being hospitalized in extremely critical condition, the teen was beaten and left unconscious during a Halloween party attended mostly by students.
Lord played basketball and football at Combs High School in San Tan Valley.
A candlelight vigil for Lord is planned for 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Combs High School. The family arranged funeral services for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10 and 11.
More on this case: What we know about Preston Lord, the Queen Creek teen fatally assaulted at party
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Preston Lord case updates: Search warrants done in Queen Creek case
