Monday, August 26, 2024–6:05 p.m.

-Staff reports-

The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate a shooting that left four people dead Saturday evening.

The shooting occurred at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton.

A 16-year-old from Rome has been arrested and charged with four counts of felony murder.

Authorities have identified the four who were killed as 17-year-old David Segura-Cruz of Rome, 18-year-old Robert Valencia of Rome, 19-year-old Joshua Pedro Pelico-Pelico of Dalton, and 21-year-old David Antonio Delgadillo of Dalton.

According to the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office:

The preliminary investigation indicates that the individuals from Rome had traveled to Dalton to meet with Pelico and Dalgadillo at the park to obtain contraband, and gunfire was exchanged during the encounter.

Based on evidence collected at the scene, the individuals from Rome also had items commonly used for concealment and used other methods to conceal their location and identity.

Rome City Schools took extra precautions Monday morning after news that Rome High School students were involved in a shooting that killed four young men in Dalton.

John Fricks, RCS director of Instructional Technology, Safety, and Operations told the Rome News-Tribune that the Central Office staff was in the schools Monday to provide additional support and counselors were available for students, if needed. 

Previously posted:

A 16-year-old from Rome has been arrested in a quadruple murder in Whitfield County.

According to the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office:

Deputies responded to Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton at around 11:14 p.m. Saturday where they found four deceased Hispanic males.

The victims are a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old from Rome, as well as a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old from Dalton.  

Authorities believe robbery may have been the motive.

Again, a 16-year-old from Rome is charged with four counts of murder.