PHOENIX — When Katey McPherson first heard about Preston Lord's death in October of 2023, she felt like her brain couldn't process the situation.
"To be honest, my brain was like not computing, like how did this happen?" McPherson said. "He went to a Halloween party and he was beaten to death in Queen Creek? Like, that just doesn't happen."
McPherson, a community mental health advocate, a mother, a resident of the East Valley, and a former counselor and teacher, said she feels for "both sides" — even if that's not the most popular opinion.
"There's a reason these boys are doing this and we have to get to the root cause if we want to eradicate this," McPherson said.
12News journalist Emily Pritchard sat down with McPherson to discuss how social media has been involved in instances of teen violence, teen violence as a public issue and what she wants people to know ahead of the 12News Teen Violence Town Hall.
12News Town Hall: Teen Violence
On Monday, Jan. 22, 12News will host a Town Hall focusing on the issues of teen violence.
We invite you to join us, along with a panel of experts, to discuss the root causes of teen violence and voice ideas for solutions.
Join us in person, on TV or online and share your voice.
RELATED: Gilbert PD exploring gang classification for 'Gilbert Goons,' investigating 8 teen violence cases
Event details
- When: 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22
- Where: Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center; 2626 E Pecos Road, Chandler
- Doors open: 5 p.m.
- Register to attend in person: RSVP here
Meet the panelists
Julia Wheatley, Queen Creek mayor
Wheatley was elected mayor in 2022 and served on the Queen Creek Town Council since 2010. She grew up in Arizona and Queen Creek has been home since 2007.
Katey McPherson, community advocate
Formerly a school teacher, guidance counselor and administrator, McPherson is also a mother of five and active in her community, advocating for parents and students' safety and mental health.
Krissyn Sumare, senior director of Academics, Blueprint Education
Blueprint Education Inc. is a non-profit organization that runs two public charter high schools in Arizona, offering alternative, non-traditional learning environments.
Dr. Aaron Krasnow, associate vice president of ASU’s Health Services and Counseling Services
An expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders, Dr. Krasnow is responsible for Health and Counseling Services for all ASU campuses.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb
Lamb was elected sheriff on Jan. 1, 2017 and is now running as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Lamb’s law enforcement experience includes working as a detective on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Gang Enforcement Unit and other multi-jurisdictional gang investigations.
His office has made two arrests of young adults both facing charges in an assault on a teen that was recorded on video and posted online.
Bishop Anthony Holt, NAACP Arizona State Conference president
A long-time community advocate, Holt served as the West Valley NAACP president and was a founding member in 2017. Holt is interested in curbing teen violence throughout Arizona and bringing effective tools to teens statewide.
Jennifer Clack, Silent Witness
Clack is the Vice President of the Arizona Chapter of Silent Witness, a non-profit that partners with local police, news outlets and the community to help solve and prevent crime.
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.
Teen violence in East Valley
A look at 12News reporting on the Preston Lord investigation and other instances of teen violence in the East Valley.