4 Teens Busted for Brutal Assault in Desert Ridge

Four teens in Phoenix face aggravated assault charges after a violent attack on another teenager at Desert Ridge Marketplace. This incident occurred in early April when the victim’s mother was en route to pick him up.

The victim called his mother during the attack, explaining that a group of four teens was assaulting him while his friends tried to intervene. Witnesses later confirmed that it took the action of bystanders to stop the assault.

Evidence from a friend’s recorded video shows the attackers throwing the victim to the ground and beating him while others encircled the scene. The victim’s mother described the aftermath as “completely bloody,” noting severe injuries including a broken nose.

Paramedics treated the victim, incurring medical expenses that reached $30,000. He remains resilient, although recovery has had its ups and downs.

Phoenix Police tracked down the suspects whose identities are protected due to their ages. Two of the arrested teens also face weapon charges related to the incident. Records reveal one suspect has a prior criminal history and was recognized in the video by his parole officer.

Court documents indicate that this individual admitted to confronting the victim, further complicating the case. The police are also looking into a related shooting incident involving teens in the area.

The victim’s mother denied any wrongdoing on her son’s part, asserting that he was targeted. She emphasized that the attackers seemed to be “hunting” him down.

This event highlights a troubling trend of youth violence in the Valley. Prior incidents include a teen assaulted with brass knuckles in 2022, and the fatal case of Preston Lord in 2023, which raised community concerns.

State Representative Matt Gress is advocating for stricter penalties through a proposed bill, Preston’s Law, designed to address such violent behaviors more proactively. Following Senate approval, the bill awaits further consideration from the House before reaching the Governor’s desk.

Gress stated, “The violent behavior we’ve seen didn’t happen overnight and must be addressed before it escalates.” He called for measures to curb teen violence in order to prevent further tragedies.