PHOENIX, Arizona – A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the brutal attack on a teen boy in a desert near Queen Creek, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mark Lamb announced the arrest of 18-year-old Garrett Bagshaw on Friday, following the initial arrest of 20-year-old Jacob Pennington earlier in the week. Both have been linked to the assault on a 17-year-old boy on November 18 near Wagon Wheel Road and Quail Trail, just south of Hunt Highway and Hawes Road.
The victim was reportedly punched and kicked by a group of individuals, including Bagshaw and Pennington, before managing to escape with the help of a friend. The sheriff’s office is currently pursuing additional suspects involved in the attack. In a social media video, Sheriff Lamb urged any other offenders to turn themselves in, warning, “we will find you.”
This development is part of a recent spike in arrests related to teen violence in the East Valley. Just this week, two adults and two teens were arrested for an attack at a Gilbert In-N-Out parking lot, a 17-year-old was arrested for a May assault in Mesa, and Gilbert Police are seeking assistance in nine active teen assault investigations. The increased attention on teen violence was prompted by the case of 16-year-old Preston Lord, who died following an assault after a Halloween party in Queen Creek. His stepmother delivered an emotional plea to the police for justice, reigniting public interest in the issue.
As of now, no arrests have been made in Preston Lord’s case. The series of assaults has raised concerns about teen violence in the East Valley, with law enforcement agencies actively seeking to address the issue and hold the perpetrators accountable. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to the ongoing investigation and urges anyone with information to come forward.
The recent arrests are part of a wider effort to address the escalating issue of teen violence in the East Valley, with law enforcement agencies actively seeking to address the issue and hold the perpetrators accountable. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to the ongoing investigation and urges anyone with information to come forward.