On Nov. 2, the ALA Gilbert North Dean of Students contacted Queen Creek Police to alert them that one of their students had been accused of murder online.
GILBERT, Ariz. — American Leadership Academy's Gilbert North has come under fire for criticizing its former football coach and athletic director after allowing an ALA student accused of murder to continue playing football.
On Thursday, the district posted a longer statement online explaining the situation, saying if it had known more about the behind-closed-doors conversations, it would have removed the student from campus pending the outcome of the investigation.
Taran Renner, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in early March. The suspect is accused of taking part in a gang attack on 16-year-old Preston Lord outside a Halloween party in Queen Creek on October 28. Lord died from his injuries on October 30th.
RELATED: 'I hit him pretty hard': Preston Road police detail how suspect allegedly acted after fatal assault
Timeline
On Nov. 2, ALA Gilbert North Dean of Students Kenneth Thorley contacted Queen Creek Police to report that one of his students, Renner, had been accused of murder online.
On November 6, police visited the school, spoke with Renner, and took DNA.
On November 17, Renner played in the 5A quarterfinal game between ALA Gilbert North and Horizon High School. Horizon won the game 38-25. 12 News cameras were there when Renner was playing.
On March 7, a school spokesperson sent a statement to 12News saying, “Regarding ALA sporting events held in November 2023, there is no evidence or arrests involving ALA students at that time.” .
But last week, 12News obtained a police report saying there is evidence to suggest Renner is a person of interest.
The school responded to the report last week by saying in part: “As new evidence came to light, we took steps to remove the student from the school and fired the football coach.”
ALA Gilbert North coach Randy Reisdorf was fired in January.
RELATED: ALA-Gilbert North partes ways with head football coach and athletic director Randy Reisdorf
The policy if a student is accused of off-campus criminal activity is still unclear.
ALA statement
“Since November 2023, a number of unsubstantiated and absurd claims have been made linking ALA to the tragic death of Preston Road. Now, due to law enforcement investigations into these acts of teenage violence, , several charges have been filed and the ALA is addressing certain false allegations that were discovered during the course of the investigation.
Throughout the investigation, ALA actively engaged with law enforcement, cooperated fully with their efforts, and diligently complied with instructions provided by law enforcement.
ALA had nothing to do with the actions or choices of the individuals involved in Preston Lord's death.
In early November 2023, law enforcement conducted a closed-door interview with a former ALA student who was later charged with Preston Lord's murder. At that time, the ALA was not informed of what was discussed in the interview, the existence of a search warrant, or whether any evidence had been obtained linking the former student to Preston Lord's death. After the interview, law enforcement officials said they believe the student can return to class and resume normal school activities.
At the time of the Nov. 17, 2023 game, law enforcement had not named any persons of interest, identified any official suspects, made any arrests, or notified ALA of any details of the investigation into Preston Road's death. There wasn't. Had such information been available, ALA would have removed the student from campus pending the outcome of the law enforcement investigation.
Because no law enforcement agency identified the ALA student as a person of concern, the campus athletic department made the decision to allow the student in question to play. The decision to play the student in question and name him a player in the game should have included school administrators and other school leaders. That did not happen and we regret that decision.”
>> Read the full statement here.
up to speed
Check out the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe now.
