Teen violence: San Tan Valley high school holds 'orange out' event to honor victims who died

SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - On the night of Jan. 23, Combs High School in San Tan Valley held an "Orange Out" event to honor three young lives that were taken by teen violence in the East Valley.

In recent months, two students from the school – Preston Lord and Jamiere Jenkins – died as a result of violent incidents. Preston, 16, was beaten to death outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek in October 2023. Jamiere, 17, was shot dead during an argument with another teen in San Tan Valley in November.

As part of the event, the community was encouraged to wear orange. They were also encouraged to wear orange to a varsity basketball game, as it was Preston’s favorite color. At the school, a table was also set up for Hailey Stephens, a 17-year-old who was shot dead at a Casa Grande house party.

Read More: Teen violence: What to know as Arizona communities deal with increase in crimes targeting young people

"Please take a moment of silence to honor Preston, Jamiere, and Hailey," said Melissa Lord, Preston's stepmother.

She said the teens died from senseless violence.

"Preston was not a violent teenager, nor did he promote or have involvement in teenage drama. We never thought in a million years that this would have ever happened to our child. Our community has also lost the lives of Jamiere Jenkins and Hailey Stephens due to senseless violence," Melissa said.

Varsity basketball coach, Hosea Graham, has the weight and responsibility of keeping it together for his young athletes, but he says they’ve come together in a way he never expected.

"It’s so volatile. Some days, they come in and I’ve got boys in the locker room bawling their eyes out," Graham said. "I’ve been in the midst and presence of young teenage boys telling each other ‘I love you,’ ‘I care about you’ to each other. They realize that that’s not a weakness, but it’s a strength in their character."

Tuesday night was a chance to heal – together – and remember their teammate who was taken from them.

"He was like a shooting star that we got to view only for a moment, and then it’s gone," Coach Graham said.