Preston Lord Day: Tragic teen's family remembers 'kind and loving' young man on 17th birthday

Chandler, Arizona: Preston Lord's family will come together tonight to honor what would have been his 17th birthday. The City of Chandler recently declared September 23 'Preston Lord Day'.

Preston was brutally beaten by a gang of teens almost a year ago at a Halloween party in Queen Creek, he died in hospital a few days later. Now his friends and family want people to remember Preston as they did. His family hopes the event, starting at 5pm in downtown Chandler, will not only celebrate his life but also raise awareness about the devastating effects of youth violence.

"We picked this day because it should be a celebration of his life, what he meant to the world," Preston’s mother said. "I'm hoping we can come together with unity and celebration for Preston, even though it's a day that's going to be really tough for me."

The event will include an orange butterfly release and live music along with information on how attendees can get involved in the fight against teen violence. Preston's parents are also advocating for people to become CPR certified.

Preston parents' shared that he was always willing to tutor teammates and friends and had a deep love for statistics. "He was genuine, kind, and loving," his family recalled, noting that Preston was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time on that fateful night.

As the community gathers to remember Preston, the legal case surrounding his death is still unfolding. Seven teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident, with the trial set for July of next year.

Live like Preston," his parents have urged, encouraging others to improve their lives and those of others, never taking a single moment for granted.