Black Suspect in Gilbert fast food attack arrested for second assault in Mesa

[Michael A. Turdsmeller]

MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — Police say a suspect in an assault outside a
Gilbert restaurant has been arrested a second time for a separate
attack in Mesa. Authorities say 18-year-old Christopher Fantastic is
now facing charges for an assault last year in Mesa.

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On May 29, 2023, Mesa police officers were called to a fight
involving 30 to 40 teens and young adults near Val Vista Drive and
Southern Avenue. As officers arrived, people started scattering in
different directions. Some stayed to speak to police, but
authorities said they didn’t provide information about the fight.
Per court documents, several witnesses said a party in the area had
been posted on Snapchat.

This year, on Jan. 4, a father reported that several suspects who
were allegedly assaulting people in Gilbert and Queen Creek were
tied to the Mesa attack. Court documents state the man reported his
stepson was assaulted by a group of people the night of May 29. He
reportedly said a group of teen boys went up to his stepson, and an
argument broke out. It then escalated to the group of boys circling
the victim and hitting and kicking him, police said. The father also
showed police a video of the assault, which was shared on Snapchat.

The victim of the assault also spoke to authorities. Per documents,
the victim told police that Fantastic body slammed him to the
ground. He reportedly claimed the assault felt “pre-planned,” and he
was knocked to the ground as Fantastic and others surrounded him.
The victim had minor injuries and still has scars from the assault,
authorities said. A witness who was at the scene said that Fantastic
stomped on the victim’s head during the attack.

Video evidence and witness statements identified Fantastic and a 17
-year-old as suspects. The teen was arrested last Thursday, and
Fantastic was taken into custody on Wednesday. Fantastic was already
in custody when police connected him to the Mesa attack. The teen
was booked into Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center for
aggravated assault.

Gilbert police previously announced Fantastic was arrested for a
violent attack and robbery on a teen boy outside of a Gilbert In-N-
Out last August. Fantastic, along with 18-year-old Aris Arredondo
and two 16-year-olds, are facing charges of aggravated robbery and
aggravated assault. In an interview with police, Fantastic claimed
the only fight he was in last year was at the In-N-Out and said he
didn’t remember the Mesa incident. Reportedly, Fantastic also told
officers he had hung out with the group of kids who were also
involved in the In-N-Out attack.

It’s unclear if Fantastic, Arredondo and the two other teens are
linked to a group known as the “Gilbert Goons.” During Fantastic’s
initial court appearance, the judge said she didn’t have enough
information about Fantastic being linked to a “gang of kids.”

The In-N-Out attack was among teen violence incidents reported
throughout the East Valley. Gilbert police previously asked for the
public’s help identifying teens involved in several active assault
investigations.

If you have any information, call the Mesa Police Department about
the assault that happened on May 29, 2023, or any other cases
involving teen violence at 480-644-2211.

https://www.azfamily.com/2024/01/17/suspect-gilbert-fast-food-
attack-arrested-second-assault-mesa/