PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed House Bill 2611 – better known as “Preston’s Law” – establishing tougher penalties for perpetrators of group assaults in the state. The new law is named in memory of Preston Lord, a 16-year-old from San Tan Valley who died after being beaten by a group of teenagers at a Halloween house party in Queen Creek in October 2023. Preston’s Law, which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support earlier this spring, aims to ensure that mob violence will not be tolerated in Arizona by imposing harsher consequences on those who gang up to attack a victim. Supporters say the measure fills a gap in existing assault laws and serves as a lasting legacy to prevent the kind of tragedy that struck the Lord family.
Background: A Tragic Case Sparks Action
Preston Lord’s death sent shockwaves through the East Valley community and put a spotlight on a disturbing pattern of youth violence. In late 2023, Preston was brutally assaulted outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek by a group of other teens; he succumbed to multiple blunt-force injuries two days later. The senseless killing of the high school junior galvanized local residents and officials, especially after it emerged that Preston’s attackers were not an isolated crew. In the aftermath, the public learned of a gang of teens known as the “Gilbert Goons,” who for months had been roaming east Phoenix suburbs assaulting peers at parties, parks, and parking lots – often filming the attacks to post on social media. This swarming style of group attack – multiple assailants overwhelming a single victim – had led to other injuries and fears in the community.
Local law enforcement and prosecutors struggled to contain the trend under existing laws. While serious cases like Preston’s homicide were charged under standard assault and murder statutes, officials noted that many group attacks were being treated as misdemeanors or low-level offenses unless they caused grave injury. Prosecutors often had to charge such cases as basic assault, a misdemeanor, unless other aggravating factors – such as the use of a deadly weapon or serious bodily harm – could be proven. This meant some perpetrators of pack attacks faced relatively light consequences. Officials worried that Arizona’s statutes had not caught up with the awful trend of swarm assaults fueled by social media bravado. Preston’s case became the rallying cry to change that.
From Grief to Legislation
Determined to prevent similar tragedies, Preston’s parents – Autumn Curiel and Melissa Ciconte – channeled their grief into advocacy for tougher laws. They found allies in County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and in lawmakers at the state Capitol. Over the past two years, Mitchell’s office worked closely with State Representative Matt Gress to craft a legislative solution. In early 2025, Gress introduced HB 2611 in the Arizona House, with the backing of a bipartisan group of legislators who argued that what happened to Preston Lord should never happen again. The bill quickly gained traction at the Capitol as “Preston’s Law,” a tribute to the teen’s memory.
Lawmakers advocating for Preston’s Law emphasized that the measure was about accountability and public safety, not politics. “Mob violence will not be tolerated in Arizona. We will throw the book at you,” declared one House leader during floor debate. Legislators recounted the string of group assaults in suburban Phoenix and expressed frustration that the perpetrators had terrorized communities for months. “Enough is enough,” another lawmaker from the East Valley said, expressing the exasperation of constituents who lived through it.
HB 2611 passed the Arizona House in March on a 37–21 vote, with a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in support. Preston’s family members were present in the gallery as the House approved the bill, drawing a standing ovation from legislators. The measure then advanced to the Senate, where it also earned approval in April. On May 6, the House gave a final concurrence to the amended bill, and Governor Hobbs signed it into law on May 12. The law is scheduled to take effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns this year.
What Preston’s Law Does
Preston’s Law creates a new category of aggravated assault in Arizona’s criminal code aimed specifically at group attacks. The statute defines a scenario commonly called “swarming” – when three or more individuals together attack a single person, causing any physical injury to the victim – and classifies it as aggravated assault, regardless of whether a weapon is used or serious injury results.
Key provisions of the law include:
-
New “swarming” offense: Defines group attacks involving two or more accomplices (three or more attackers in total) against one victim as a distinct form of aggravated assault.
-
Felony classification: Designates such swarming assaults as a Class 4 felony. Simple assault is typically a misdemeanor; a Class 4 felony can result in multiple years in state prison.
-
No misdemeanor downgrade: Unlike a lower-level felony, a Class 4 felony in Arizona cannot be simply reduced to a misdemeanor at sentencing.
-
Judicial discretion: The offense is probation-eligible, allowing judges discretion to impose probation instead of prison time in appropriate cases.
-
Effective date: The law will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns its 2025 regular session.
Practical Impact on Arizona Communities
Arizona officials and community members believe the law will have a significant impact on deterring violent group attacks and improving public safety. By explicitly criminalizing swarming assaults as felonies, prosecutors have a stronger tool to charge and penalize those who participate in such attacks – even if the individual injuries caused are not catastrophic.
For Arizona residents, this could mean greater protection from youth gang assaults that had plagued parts of the East Valley. Schools and colleges will need to be aware that a multi-student fight or bullying incident involving a pack of attackers could now lead to felony arrests rather than just school discipline. Law enforcement agencies will train officers on identifying swarming incidents and properly applying the new statute. Prosecutors have stated they will use the tougher charges when appropriate, especially in light of the recent rise in teen mob assaults.
For victims and their families, Preston’s Law offers a sense of justice and reassurance. Now, simply participating in a group attack that injures someone is enough to trigger felony charges. Families who previously saw attackers receive minimal penalties may feel a greater sense of justice under this new framework.
Supporters’ Viewpoint: “Enough Is Enough” on Group Violence
Supporters of Preston’s Law view it as a common-sense reform to address a dangerous pattern. Representative Matt Gress, who sponsored the legislation, said the bill is about asserting the rule of law over mob violence. “We’ve seen what happens when mobs believe they can act with impunity. This law sends a clear message: if you gang up to hurt someone, you will be held accountable.”
He publicly thanked Preston Lord’s mother and stepmother for turning their personal tragedy into advocacy and helped push the bill across the finish line. Gress described the law as both about accountability and compassion – ensuring justice for victims while hoping to prevent other young people from choosing violence.
Law enforcement leaders strongly supported the measure. County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said group assault is inherently different from a one-on-one fight and deserves to be treated more severely. “It’s a new tool we can use to send a clear message to those who commit these cowardly attacks that they will most definitely be held accountable.” Mitchell praised the Legislature and Governor Hobbs for recognizing the issue and acting decisively.
The final votes in the Legislature showed broad bipartisan support, and Governor Hobbs’ signature confirmed that Arizona’s leadership stands behind the effort to curb group violence. As one supporter put it, keeping communities safe from violent mobs is not a partisan issue. “This is about reaffirming that we are a society governed not by violence, but by justice and the rule of law.”
Addressing Criticisms and Concerns
Some lawmakers expressed concern that the new felony charge could be applied too broadly – such as to teenage misbehavior or school fights that might not result in serious injuries. One representative said, “I do not want to put the wrong children in that predicament,” highlighting the need for judicial discretion. Others questioned whether existing laws already provided enough tools to charge serious assaults.
Supporters of Preston’s Law responded by emphasizing that the statute requires actual physical injury to apply – verbal altercations or harmless shoving would not meet the criteria. They believe that when two or more people jointly attack someone, even minor injuries indicate a dangerous situation that merits a tougher charge.
Furthermore, because the law is probation-eligible, judges retain flexibility to consider the offender’s age, background, and circumstances. The goal is not to imprison every teenager who gets into a fight, but to hold accountable those who deliberately participate in organized violence.
A Lasting Legacy
As Preston’s Law becomes reality, Arizona officials and the Lord family hope it will deliver justice, deterrence, and a safer future for others. The law’s supporters see it as a fitting legacy for Preston Lord, turning his tragedy into meaningful change.
In practical terms, Arizonans can expect a tougher stance against group perpetrators of violence. Prosecutors will have new authority to pursue felony charges in coordinated attacks, and youth tempted to engage in swarming assaults will face real legal consequences.
Community advocates believe this will make neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces safer. Meanwhile, Preston’s parents take some solace in knowing that his name is now etched into Arizona law – a name associated with change, reform, and protection for others. With Preston’s Law on the books, Arizona has sent a clear and lasting message: this state stands with victims, not with violent mobs.
