ARIZONA NEWS

911 caller on night of Lord’s Queen Creek attack frustrated as initial pleas for help went unanswered

Mar 31, 2024, 7:15 AM

Queen Creek resident reflects on chaotic Halloween party that ended in tragedy for 16-year-old Pres...

Queen Creek resident reflects on chaotic Halloween party that ended in tragedy for 16-year-old Preston Lord on KTAR News 92.3 FM. (Queen Creek Police Department and Melissa Ciconte Facebook photos)

(Queen Creek Police Department and Melissa Ciconte Facebook photos)

PHOENIX — A 911 caller who phoned the night 16-year-old Preston Lord was beaten to death after a Halloween party last October said she’s still trying to understand how a teenager was killed.

Jeanna Pignatiello is a resident in the Queen Creek neighborhood where the fatal beating took place.

On Oct. 28, 2023, after finishing watching tv, Pignatiello went to stand in her front yard with her eyes scanning the chaotic scene unfolding before her, she said Friday on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos.

Cars flooded the streets, filled with at least 100 kids and teenagers, their chatter mixing with the hum of engines, she said. It’s déjà vu — a year ago, a similar scene unfolded, only then, the police had swiftly intervened.

As Pignatiello observed the scene, police made an appearance in the neighborhood, prompting some youth to scatter and suggesting an imminent resolution.

“But as quickly as one or two groups would get in the car and leave, two, three or four more groups would come in,” she said.

Although police quickly arrived, their decision to circle the block then leave, without taking further action, left Pignatiello and her neighbors in dismay.

“Initially … there was no fighting, we weren’t seeing any violence, any weapons or anything,” she said. “But I also happen to be an educator, and was a principal. When you start to see that many teenagers and they’re trying to drive through, they can’t get through the road, they’re congregating in these big groups, you see that there’s a party that’s about to get out of control — it’s like watching somebody getting ready to light a match.”

Pignatiello stayed in her front yard after the police left. She said she witnessed two vehicle accidents and was tending to teenagers vomiting in her front yard while unaware of what was unfolding a few hundred yards behind her home.

She then placed a 911 call approximately 30 minutes after police initially responded. Here’s a clip:

“We have teenagers jumping our fence. We have watched two accidents. They are hitting each other in front of our yard. They are clearly drunk. They have alcohol. I’m watching the police come through my neighborhood–.”

Compounding the problem, neither she nor her residents were contacted regarding the incident until over a week after Lord died in a hospital.

“To know that that happened, but also like, nobody knocked on our doors. Nobody came. Not a single police officer came to our home until Nov. 8 and this occurred on Oct. 28,” Pignatiello said.

The investigation eventually led to the indictment of seven suspects on murder charges in early March, marking a significant development in the case.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, ...

Bailey Leasure

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after west Phoenix shooting

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

50 minutes ago

Health care for prisoners in Arizona...

Associated Press

Lawyers for inmates ask judge to take over health care services in Arizona prisons

Lawyers for 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona have asked a judge to take over health care operations in state-run prisons and appoint an official to run them, saying the state is not capable of fixing deep failures in care even though it has been required to do so over the last decade.

2 hours ago

Vehicle into a tanker...

KTAR.com

Man drove car into tanker in Glendale hoping it would blow up, police say

A man who wanted to kill himself drove his vehicle into a tanker in Glendale thinking it would blow up on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

3 hours ago

A bicyclist was killed in a collision with a driver suspected of impairment in Phoenix....

Kevin Stone

Bicyclist killed in crash involving driver suspected of impairment in Phoenix

A bicyclist was killed in a collision involving a driver suspected of impairment in Phoenix on Tuesday night, authorities said.

5 hours ago

Six headline acts will perform at the 2025 Chandler Ostrich Festival....

Payne Moses

Concert lineup finalized for 2025 Chandler Ostrich Festival

The sixth and final headline act for the 2025 Chandler Ostrich Festival concert series has been revealed.

6 hours ago

Follow @suelenrivera...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

911 caller on night of Lord’s Queen Creek attack frustrated as initial pleas for help went unanswered