GILBERT, Ariz. — As violent situations involving teens continue in the East Valley, the Gilbert Police Department said they are reviewing old cases to see if there are any connections between the cases.
Thursday night, 12News talked to Richard Kuehner, whose son was attacked near the Gilbert In-N-Out in August. He was left to fend for himself as the group of suspects punched and kicked him repeatedly while he was on the ground.
Kuehner then made the difficult decision to send his son overseas to live with his mother. Kuehner reported the attack to police, but was scared the attacks wouldn't stop.
On Friday, Gilbert police posted images of the attack on Kuehner's son, asking the public to help identify those involved.
"In addition to a thorough review of past cases from the last two years involving youth to determine if there is any additional information or correlation between these incidents that can assist us with our past investigations, Gilbert PD is working with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure information that may be of assistance in current or past investigations is shared," the post said.
The assault of Kuehner's son happened just two months before 16-year-old Preston Lord was assaulted at a Halloween party in Queen Creek and later died.
Lord's death has brought several other East Valley assaults to light where groups of suspects have allegedly ganged up on one victim and beat them up. Many of the assaults are recorded, often by the suspects, and shared on social media.
Videos of some of these incidents have been circulating among East Valley community groups.
One of the groups linked to some of the incidents is known as the "Gilbert Goons."
A Gilbert PD spokesperson told 12News initially, they did not have any cases where the victims or suspects referred to the "Gilbert Goons", however recent updates from victims now refer to their assailants as being associated with the group.
The department said any information that can help identify the people in the post should be reported directly to the Gilbert Police Department by calling 480-503-6500. Tips on this case can also be submitted anonymously here.
RELATED: Queen Creek community walks for justice one month after deadly attack of 16-year-old Preston Lord
Bianca Buono contributed to this report.
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