“August Beating Outside In-N-Out Burger: Gilbert Police Shelved Investigation, 16-Year-Old Suspect Arrested Months Later”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Title: Gilbert Police Shelved Investigation into August Beating Outside In-N-Out Burger Amidst Growing Teen Violence Cases

Introduction:

In a shocking turn of events, Gilbert police in Arizona have been under scrutiny for shelving an investigation into an August beating outside an In-N-Out Burger. Despite having interviewed a suspect identified by the victim on the night of the attack, authorities claimed they were unable to establish probable cause at the time. However, last week, nearly five months later, the 16-year-old suspect was finally arrested, along with two adults and another juvenile involved in the attack. This incident is just one in a series of violent assaults carried out by a gang known as the “Gilbert Goons,” predominantly comprised of affluent teenagers.

Background on the Gilbert Goons:

The Arizona Republic conducted an investigation revealing that the Gilbert Goons had been engaging in a string of attacks on other teens in the southeast Valley for over a year. Most of these attacks occurred in Gilbert, leading to widespread concern among parents, students, and community activists. The Goons’ involvement in the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Halloween party in Queen Creek further solidified their notoriety. According to court records, one of the arrested Goons confessed that the group’s name was created in a Snapchat group chat.

Gilbert Police Chief’s Statement:

Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg admitted that officers failed to connect the dots between the various attacks because victims did not specifically mention the gang. It was only later that victims began associating their attackers with the Goons. This revelation prompted Gilbert police to open multiple investigations into what they describe as “teen violence” cases.

Details of the August 18th Attack:

Richard Kuehner’s teenage son was brutally assaulted outside the Gilbert In-N-Out Burger on the night of August 18th. According to Kuehner, his son returned home bleeding profusely and visibly shaken. The victim promptly informed the police about a 16-year-old involved in the attack. However, it was only recently that this juvenile was arrested.

The attack was captured on video, which the juvenile claimed was sent to him in a group chat that included all the assailants. The footage showed multiple individuals punching, kicking, and stomping on Kuehner’s son as he tried to defend himself. The video also revealed one unidentified person stealing the victim’s shoes.

Lack of Progress in the Investigation:

Despite having identified the 16-year-old suspect through witness and victim interviews, Gilbert police spokesperson Sgt. Lorenzo Teruya stated that other individuals involved in the attack could not be identified shortly after the incident. The case remained inactive until mid-December when it was reopened as part of a broader investigation into teen violence cases. The police sought the community’s assistance in identifying the attackers by posting still images from the attack video on social media.

Breakthrough in the Investigation:

Thanks to multiple anonymous tips, Gilbert police were able to identify Christopher Fantastic and Aris Arredondo, who were later arrested in connection with the assault. The identification process involved comparing screenshots from a TikTok video and Arredondo’s social media accounts. Kuehner’s son confirmed that Arredondo was the one who punched him in the mouth and initiated the altercation. Similarly, Fantastic was identified as one of the individuals who participated in the assault.

Ongoing Investigation:

Gilbert police have made it clear that they are still investigating who else was involved in the August 18th attack. In fact, the department currently has a total of nine investigations related to teen violence. Four of these cases have been reopened, while others were previously unreported.

Conclusion:

The shelving of the investigation into the August beating outside In-N-Out Burger by Gilbert police has raised serious concerns about their handling of the growing issue of teen violence, particularly in cases involving affluent teenagers like the Gilbert Goons. The recent arrest of the 16-year-old suspect provides some hope for justice, but it is clear that more needs to be done to address this disturbing trend. The community remains vigilant as Gilbert police continue their investigations into these troubling incidents.

Author Bio:

Elena Santa Cruz is a dedicated criminal justice reporter for The Republic. With a passion for shedding light on important issues, Elena strives to provide accurate and informative news to her readers. You can reach Elena at elena.santacruz@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @ecsantacruz3..