Rodneyshia Dennis

Name:
Dennis, Rodneyshia Jermayian Shonta

Date of Booking:
05/16/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Open Container Violation

Reckless Driving

Driving Under Influence of Alcohol

SERIOUS INJURY BY VEHICLE

AGGRAVATED BATTERY

Aggravated Assault – 2 counts

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on May 15, 2026]

On 15 May 2026, at approximately 12:08 AM I (SGT Metroka), while on duty for the City of Rome Police Department, in uniform, in a marked patrol vehicle, was in the area of Branham Ave when I head a call come out about a female having been ran over as well as guns being shot in the area.

I then responded to the scene with my emergency lights and siren activated. As I was approaching the scene, there was radio traffic about one of the parties being involved attempting to leave the scene in a silver passenger car. I observed this vehicle in the parking lot beside Grover St and immediately drove to it giving the driver directions to stop. I was able to get the vehicle stopped and identified the driver as Rodneyshia Dennis.

Dennis stated that she was at the gathering at [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave. Dennis stated that as she was trying to leave, someone had hit her car. She stated that she had then gotten out of the black Nissan (GA Tag: [REDACTED]) and into the silver car. Dennis stated that during this time a black male with cornrolls wearing a black shirt had began shooting towards them. While speaking to Dennis, her friend [WITNESS #1] had shown up.

I then advised Dennis and [WITNESS #1] that they were being detained as part of the ongoing investigation and secured their vehicles and the keys to the vehicle. Dennis and [WITNESS #1] were later secured in PFC Colvin’s patrol vehicle, and the vehicle keys were turned over to PFC Colvin.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on May 16, 2026]

On Saturday May 16, 2026 at approximately 12:06 am, Officers were dispatched to the [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave due to numerous calls about gunshots and someone being struck by a car. Several Officers responded to include some of the Metro task force and other who were working a side job.

I, PFC Z Colvin, was the first patrol officer to arrive on scene. When I arrived, other officers were tending to a victim, [VICTIM #1], who had been struck by a car and had a serious head injury. For the firs 10 minutes or so, Officers were just trying to maintain crowd control due to many people being hysterical. We were also attempting to establish a crime scene. An ambulance arrived on scene and took Ms [VICTIM #1] into their care. She was transported to Atrium ER for treatment by the ambulance.

During this time I spoke with [VICTIM #2]. She had also been struck by the car that Ms [VICTIM #1] was hit by. She had only minor injuries. She mainly was complaining of chest and head injuries. I did not see any visible injuries on her. She told me that Rodneyshia Dennis had been the one driving the car that struck her and Ms [VICTIM #1].

She stated there had been an argument in front of the area of [500 BLOCK] and [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave. Ms Dennis then went and got in a black Nissan vehicle that had been parked in the parking lot of the Lovejoy Baptist Church located at 436 Branham Ave. Ms Dennis then drove through the [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave at a high rate of speed and struck Ms [VICTIM #1] and Ms. [VICTIM #2]. Ms Dennis then stopped the car and turned around. She came back through the [500 BLOCK] and parked the vehicle back in the parking lot of the Lovejoy Baptist Church.

I also spoke with a witness, [WITNESS #2]. He confirmed everything that Ms [VICTIM #2] had said. He also stated that after the car had struck Ms [VICTIM #2] and Ms [VICTIM #1], someone came into the street and fired a gun several time. Shell casings were found in the roadway by officers.

Other officers on scene found Rodneyshia Dennis and [WITNESS #1] attempting to leave in a silver vehicle. They had just gotten out of the black vehicle which had been determined to be the vehicle which had struck Ms [VICTIM #2] and Ms [VICTIM #1]. Ms Dennis and Ms [WITNESS #1] were detained and placed in the my patrol car. I transported them to the Rome Police Station where they were interviewed by Lt Hutchins. Lt Hutchins also reviewed cameras from the crime scene.

The scene was turned over to Lt Hutchins and he collected al of the evidence.

While at the station, Lt Hutchins had read Ms Dennis her Miranda rights before questioning her. When he was done I then conducted field sobriety testing on Ms Dennis. I was able to smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath. I also noticed her eyes were bloodshot and watery. The first test I had her do was the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. I observed the following 6 clues:

Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes
Distinct and sustained nystagmus in both eyes
Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes

I also observed vertical nystagmus.

The next test I had her do was the walk and turn I observed 3 clues on the walk and turn. She stepped off line, miss 2 heel to toe steps, and she did the turn improper.

The last test I had her do was the one leg stand. I observed 2 clues on the one leg stand. She put her foot down and she used her arms for balance.

I determined she was DUI and read her Georgia Implied Consent for suspects age 21 and older. I first asked for a breath test and she refused. I then read it again and asked for blood and she refused that as well.

I ended up transporting Ms Dennis to the Floyd County Jail where she was booked in for 2 counts of aggravated assault, 1 count of aggravated battery, felony serious injury by vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, and open container.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on May 16, 2026]

On May 16th, 2026 at approximately 12:06 AM, I, OFC T.Zenga #57, was dispatched to Branham Ave for a suspected hit and run, along with shots fired. Upon my arrival, I located a victim with a large head wound and applied bandages until EMS arrived. A multitude of officers arrived on scene and secured the area. After everything was secured, we discovered another victim who was placed in the care of EMS.

After inspecting the area we located multiple shell casings in the roadway. We then were able to obtain video footage of the shooting occurred and determined who the shooter was *who was still on scene. Myself and PFC Cipriano secured the rear exit to the residence he was residing in when suddenly the suspect came out the back door. We both exhibited our firearms and gave verbal commands for the subject to walk to us and place his hands behind his back. He was cuffed without incident and detained till further.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #4 on May 16, 2026]

On 16 May 2026 at 12:18 AM, I, PFC Bigelow responded to the area of Branham Ave in response to a shooting. Units on scene stated that there was a large crowd gathering and needed assistance with keeping the crime scene clear of people.

Upon my arrival, it was clear that there were enough Officers on scene, so I followed EMS to Atrium Health to speak with the victim. While waiting to speak with the victim, [VICTIM #1], I was made aware that the victim was not shot, but was run over by a vehicle. Additionally, a second victim was brought in by EMS.

I first spoke with [VICTIM #1]. The following is a summary of her statement. She was in her home at [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave, when someone came in and told her that her phone had been broken. She went outside and saw a fight breaking out in the street, and her granddaughter [VICTIM #2] in the midst of it.

She went out to break it up and get [VICTIM #2] away from the commotion, and was struck from behind by a black sedan. She overheard the bystanders saying that someone by the name of “Neisha” was the one driving the car. Mrs. [VICTIM #1] did not know anything about the shooting, except that it occurred after she was struck by the vehicle.

I then went to speak with [VICTIM #2]. The following is a summary of her statement: She was outside of [500 BLOCK] Branham when an argument broke out between Rodneyshia Dennis and about 8 other people. Those 8 people came after Rodneyshia, and a white female by the name of [WITNESS #1] got Rodneyshia into Rodneyshia’s car, a black 4 door sedan. [VICTIM #2]’s grandmother, [VICTIM #1] had come outside to calm things down and get [VICTIM #2] back inside. [VICTIM #2] and [VICTIM #1] were standing close to the mailbox when Rodneyshia got into her car and drove toward them. [VICTIM #1] pushed [VICTIM #2] out of the way and [VICTIM #1] was struck by Rodneyshia’s vehicle.

Rodneyshia then drove to a church parking lot down the street and stopped. At no point did Rodneyshia get out and check to see if [VICTIM #1] or [VICTIM #2] were injured. The shooting happened after [VICTIM #1] was struck by the vehicle, but [VICTIM #2] does not know who was shooting. [VICTIM #2] stated that she believed that Rodneyshia was attempting to run over the people who had been coming after her. [VICTIM #2] also stated that Rodneyshia was drunk, and had been since before she arrived on Branham Ave.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #5 on May 16, 2026]

On Saturday 5/16/2026 while patrol the are of South Rome I, PFC Banks heard around 5 gunshots coming from the area of [500 BLOCK] Branham Ave. I parked my patrol vehicle on Grover and began to approach on foot. I noticed a unknown male coming from behind the houses in a black hoodie to which I immediately drew my service sidearm and started giving commands.

After making sure he was unarmed I holstered my sidearm and explained to him my reasoning for drawing my service sidearm at him. While explaining other officers came across the radio and advised someone was shot in the face to which I released the male and went to assist. I did not get his information.

[End of Narrative]