The situation turned deadly when Talan Renner, one of the accused, allegedly punched Lord, knocking him unconscious.
Other members of the group reportedly continued to beat and kick Lord while he lay defenseless on the ground. One witness even saw someone “dance on top of him” as he lay motionless.
He died two days later, on Oct. 30, of traumatic brain injuries.
Crimes Documented on Social Media
A chilling aspect of the Gilbert Goons’ criminal behavior is their tendency to document and share their actions on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
Even after Lord’s death, members of the group allegedly bragged about the incident online. In one disturbing message shared on Snapchat, Renner reportedly wrote, “I got in a fight, a big group fight, and killed a kid.”
Another member, Talyn Vigil, allegedly sent a message stating, “I hit a kid and this kid … hit his head and then they kicked his head in the ground then I got word he died so idk.”
These posts, along with videos of the group’s other illegal activities, including assaults and underage drinking, have been key pieces of evidence in the investigation. Authorities have expressed concern over the role social media played in not only encouraging but also publicizing the group’s criminal behavior.
Community Reactions and Legal Challenges
The murder of Preston Lord and the investigation into the Gilbert Goons has shocked law enforcement and the community.
