REVEALED - How gang of Arizona teens calling themselves the Gilbert Goons ran amok in small town, terrorizing schoolmates and steamrolling teachers and parents, before beating boy dead outside Halloween party

A gang of Arizona teens who call themselves the 'Gilbert Goons' was allowed to run amok Phoenix suburbs before several of its members were charged with the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord.

After Preston's brutal beating and subsequent alleged attempted cover ups were detailed by The Arizona Republic, authorities reopened multiple cases believed to have been conducted by a larger group of assailants.

Victims and residents in the area have described the group as mostly white, upper-middle-class teenagers from multiple East Valley high schools.

A lawsuit filed by the father of one of the Goons' alleged victims accuses the Goons of causing skull fractures, facial fractures, broken and missing teeth, concussions and other serious injuries. 

The attackers allegedly include the sons of a mayoral candidate and an elementary school principal. Their assaults appeared unmotivated and were often recorded and shared by the attackers themselves. 

After Preston Lord's brutal beating, authorities reopened multiple cases believed to have been conducted by a larger group of assailants

Last month seven teens and young men were charged for the first degree murder of Preston, who died two days after he was assaulted by a violent group. From top left to bottom right: Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, Taylor Sherman, Treston Billey, Talyn Vigil, Dominic Turner, William Owe Hines

'The conspiracy culminated in the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord by certain members of the Goons,' the lawsuit states, as reported by the Arizona Republic. 'Preston's killers should have been in juvie,' said lawyer Richard Lyons. 'Why weren't they arresting and charging these kids?'

Several lawsuits have been filed claiming that law enforcement and school officials allowed the Goons to continue unleashing their violence since as least 2022.

Three lawsuits connected to Goon's activities name Riggs Elementary school principal Jamie Lander, her husband and stepson. 

Richard Kuehner claims in his suit that his teen son was attacked in the parking lot of a Gilbert In-N-Out Burger in August of 2023 by the Goons.

Kuehner claims the Chandler Unified school district was warned about his son receiving death threats, including from Lander's stepson, before he was 'jumped' by Goons and made no efforts to stop it. 

Lander's stepson was arrested by Gilbert police as a suspect to the assault but prosecutors dropped the case weeks later, per The Arizona Republic. 

In another lawsuit, the principal's stepson was accused of a May 2023 attack on a 17-year-old boy in a Mesa park. The suit claims the stepson set up the attack and threatened another. 

Richard Kuehner claims in his suit that his teen son was attacked in the parking lot of a Gilbert In-N-Out Burger in August of 2023 by the Goons

Three lawsuits connected to Goon's activities name Riggs Elementary school principal Jamie Lander, her husband and stepson

The Chandler school district is now looking to replace Lander, who has been on leave since mid-February, as reported by The Arizona Republic. 

Meanwhile a video has emerged showing the son of a Gilbert mayoral candidate Shane Krauser participating in a filmed Goons' confrontation on July 4.

Krauser has denied his son is a 'Goon' and noted that 'there was no physical confrontation' in the video, telling The Arizona Republic 'This is kids being disrespectful.'

The footage shows a group of teens taunting a couple, daring the man to take action against them. Krauser's son is seen dropping to the ground and doing pushups as the teens mock the couple.

Scottsdale lawyer Richard Lyons filed a lawsuit against 17 individuals, identified as members of the 'Gilbert Goons,' accusing them of assaulting victims and sharing videos of the attacks on social media.

Meanwhile a video has emerged showing the son of a Gilbert mayoral candidate Shane Krauser participating in a filmed Goons' confrontation on July 4

Krauser's son is seen dropping to the ground and doing pushups as the teens mock the couple

'These kids were dumb enough to document what they were doing,' Lyons said to AZ Central. 'What other person in their right mind would film it? They'd only do it if they thought they could get away with it — and for far too long, they did.'

The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, also targets 26 parents of underage Goon members, holding them responsible for their children's actions. 

Several arrests have been made in connection with the attacks, but Lyons asserts that law enforcement's response has been insufficient, leading to continued threats and, ultimately, the fatal beating of Preston at a Halloween party in Queen Creek. 

According to Lyons, Gilbert's police department prioritized the city's reputation as the 'Second Safest Big City in America' over taking decisive action against the perpetrators, thus failing to protect the community's residents. 

Activists held vigils and marched to protest growing gang violence in Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler and other Phoenix suburbs. 

Last month seven teens and young men were charged for the first degree murder of Preston, who died two days after he was assaulted by a violent group. 

Two of them, Jacob Meisner and William Himes, were previously charged in connection to Gilbert Goons attacks. 

Arizona businessman Travis Renner has been accused of trying to help his teen son cover up the murder 

After the deadly brawl Talan 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,' a witness claimed

Travis Renner's other son Kyler has been charged in connection with two gang attacks at a parking garage and a house party in 2022

Talan Renner, 17, is one of seven young men accused. His brother Kyler is also believed to be a member of the Goons.

Their father Travis Renner, meanwhile has been accused of trying to cover up Talan's involvement in Preston's murder.

Talan's school, the American Leadership Academy (ALA) issued a statement last week explaining their decision to allow Talan to continue to play football after he was questioned by police about the murder.

ALA was further criticized after Talan's former stepmom Lauri Spiker told police his dad, millionaire businessman Travis Renner, often stepped in to save his problematic sons from trouble.

Spiker told police Travis 'once made a $10,000 to ALA and sponsored sports programs through his business, One Stop Nutrition, to prevent them expelling Talan.'

She also said 'Travis talks down on police and brags about how he can 'buy' their kids out of trouble.'

On Thursday, the school denied the claims in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying 'there have been a number of unfounded and irrational allegations associating ALA with the tragic death of Preston Lord.'

A street gang dubbed the 'Gilbert Goons' has plagued Arizona by attacking teenagers and robbing stores

'We can say unequivocally that ALA has never received or accepted a $10,000 donation, or any donation, from the Renner family or anyone indicted in Preston lord's death, nor from any of their family businesses.'

The school also defended its choice to allow Talan to play a football game on November 17, just weeks after Preston's murder, saying police had not named any persons of interests or suspects. They said they now regret the choice.

The school added: 'Throughout the investigation, ALA proactively engaged law enforcement, fully cooperated with their efforts, and diligently adhered to the direction they provided. ALA has no connection with the actions or choices of the individuals who were involved in the death of Preston Lord.

'ALA is thoroughly sickened by the deplorable violence that resulted in Preston Lord's death.'