The Gilbert Goons, a hybrid gang, are recognized for their brutal incidents and assaults in the East Valley area of Arizona. The group is made up of different races, ethnicities and ages. They do not have a straightforward set of rules or structure in place. In May 2024, they were officially identified as a criminal street gang. But this classification does not mean that members will automatically encounter heightened penalties or charges.
The Rise of the Gilbert Goons
Gilbert Goons began as a group in the 2020s, first as a group of people who liked violence together. As time moved forward, the group increased in size and became more powerful. Now, the group members are better organized and work together when they carry out their harmful actions. The group known as Gilbert Goons became famous because of many violent happenings, like the death of a boy named Preston Lord who was 16 years old. This event happened because they were attacked and it caused a lot of worry among people in the neighborhood and police.
The Gilbert Goons’ Modus Operandi
The Gilbert Goons are famous for their harsh and sometimes unjustifiable violent behaviors, which go from hitting people to stealing with weapons. They frequently use social media to plan their attacks and make people in the community scared. The way the group usually does things often includes choosing random people, sometimes at parties or gatherings, and using violence to show they are powerful and scare others.
The Impact of the Gilbert Goons on the Community
The Gilbert Goons have left a big mark on the community, especially in the Southeast Valley of Arizona. Their violent actions, such as when they killed 16-year-old Preston Lord by beating him to death, make people feel scared and threatened. The group’s activities are also causing an increase in violence among teenagers which has prompted creation of a fresh subcommittee by Gilbert Town Council for handling this problem. The community is left feeling vulnerable and worried about their safety, with many urging for more law enforcement to tackle gang activities.
Connection to Bullying
The Gilbert Goons are connected to bullying, which is thought to have a big part in causing their violent actions. Bullying can come in different ways such as physical fighting, calling names and using social media to harass others. The group’s participation in bullying has created a culture of fear and threats, creating circumstances where it is challenging for victims to voice against those who attack them.
Drug Use
They have been connected with drug use, especially in the selling and spreading of fentanyl and marijuana. Police stories talk about drug and alcohol use by multiple Gilbert Goons, while one parent is dealing with accusations for drug possession. Records from court also indicate that parents to some accused teenagers were previously convicted for dealing drugs, stealing cars among other illegal activities too. The drug use also supported their violent acts and refusal to accept responsibility.
The Gilbert Goons’ Impact on Local Law Enforcement
The Gilbert Goons have presented problems for local law enforcement, who find it hard to manage their aggressive and erratic actions. The hybrid characteristics of this group, with no defined rules or structure, make them difficult to document and prosecute as a typical street gang.
But even so, agencies of law enforcement have collaborated in investigating and charging specific members for different crimes like violent attacks or drug-related offenses. The Gilbert Police Department has created a fresh subcommittee to handle the matter of teen violence connected with the this gang.
Connection to Rival Gangs
The Gilbert Goons are known to have connections with other gangs, and this often results in fights over territory. The group’s hybrid features make it hard to document them as a typical street gang, due to their lack of clear rules or hierarchy. Even so, police agencies have cooperated by investigating and charging certain members for crimes such as violent attacks or drug-related issues.
The Gilbert Goons’ Connection to Law Enforcement Corruption
There are connections between the Gilbert Goons and police corruption, leading to suspicions about corruption within the Gilbert Police Department. A local person named Taylor tweeted that the situation “smells like corruption by Gilbert PD,” referring to how this department deals with activities of these Gilbert Goons. This implies there could be some kind of hidden involvement or responsibility from within this organization’s structure which might help explain why they can continue functioning so freely.
They have created a lasting impression of fear and disorder on the East Valley community. They are a mixed gang who really like to fight and hurt people, choosing innocent people as targets. They challenge the basic rules of society and order. But their story is not one that must happen; it is a call for action, a shout for the community to unite and take back their streets, schools, and future.
