GILBERT, Ariz. – A teenager indicted for aggravated robbery and assault is facing charges for an incident that took place outside an In-N-Out restaurant. The accused, Christopher Fantastic, allegedly punched another teen while the victim was on the ground on August 18, 2023, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
The victim’s father revealed that his son had to be taken to the emergency room after the attack and was later sent overseas to live with his mother due to safety concerns. During Fantastic’s initial court appearance, it was stated by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office that the August incident was a planned attack and allegedly done in retaliation.
This incident occurred just months before 16-year-old Preston Lord suffered fatal injuries during a Halloween party, bringing attention to the prevalence of teen violence in the East Valley and the so-called “Gilbert Goons” group. The Gilbert Police Department is currently investigating at least nine incidents related to teen violence, indicating a concerning trend in the area.
The arrest of Christopher Fantastic is unrelated to the Lord case, according to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. However, Fantastic was arrested again for allegedly being involved in a separate “vicious attack” near Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue. This incident, which occurred on May 29, 2023, involved up to 40 juveniles and young adults fighting, as captured in a Snapchat video. The victim reported feeling “pre-planned” and unable to defend himself against the group of assailants.
The series of arrests and incidents involving Fantastic shed light on the issue of teen violence in the East Valley, prompting a community discussion on the matter to address residents’ concerns and initiate measures to curb such acts of aggression.