PHOENIX, ARIZONA – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced a second arrest in the case of a teen boy attacked in a desert near Queen Creek. 18-year-old Garrett Bagshaw was taken into custody in Mesa and booked into the Pinal County Jail on Friday. This arrest comes as Sheriff Mark Lamb and his office continue to investigate the attack and work to identify additional suspects. Bagshaw was part of a group that assaulted a 17-year-old boy on November 18 near Wagon Wheel Road and Quail Trail, south of Hunt Highway and Hawes Road. The victim was punched and kicked before being helped by a friend and running off. Jacob Pennington, also involved in the attack, was arrested on Wednesday, and additional suspects are being sought in connection with the case.
Investigators have urged anyone involved to turn themselves in, as it has been a week of arrests regarding teen violence in the East Valley. Two adults and two teens were arrested for their involvement in an attack at a Gilbert In-N-Out parking lot in August, and a 17-year-old was arrested in connection with a May attack in Mesa. Additionally, Gilbert Police are asking for help in identifying suspects in nine active teen assault investigations. This surge in arrests and investigations comes after the October attack and subsequent death of 16-year-old Preston Lord, which sparked increased interest in teen violence in the East Valley. Lord’s stepmom made an emotional plea for justice at a Chandler City Council meeting.
As of now, no arrests have been made in the case of Preston Lord. The police are still looking for information regarding his case. This rise in teen violence has drawn attention to the interconnected issues of youth crime and community safety.