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Written by: E. George
Published August 27, 2024 @ 5:50 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence.
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities found four Hispanic men shot to death after responding to gunfire at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton on Saturday, August 24, 2024. During a press conference on Sunday, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of a 16-year-old male from Rome, who faces four counts of felony murder.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office is looking to the public for assistance in finding other involved individuals. Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles – a dark in color hatchback and an SUV that were both later found, one donning several bullet holes on one side.
Deputies responded to the park at approximately 11:15 PM. The victims were identified as 17-year-old Daniel Segura-Cruz and 18-year-old Robert Valencia from Rome and 19-year-old Joshua Pedro Pelico-Pelico and 21-year-old David Antonio Delgadillo from Dalton.
Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood said that the “very isolated” incident appears to have been prompted by a non-gang-related attempted robbery that quickly transformed into a shootout.
Sheriff Chitwood stated, “There were multiple weapons involved. We know that because of the multiple shell casings that were located on the scene.” He added that they found contraband in a vehicle belonging to one of the victims.
Evidence collected at the scene indicated that the individuals from Rome traveled to meet Delgadillo and Pelico at the park to obtain contraband. Both parties wielded firearms.
Evidence also revealed that the Rome suspects possessed items commonly used to conceal a robbery and used other methods to hide their identity and location.
A neighborhood resident stated, “I heard four random gunshots around 10. I called 911 and reported it; they said they would send someone out.” She explained that things escalated violently not too long after the phone call.
At around 11:00 PM, she “heard massive amounts of gunshots going off. It was like if you didn’t know the difference, it would have been like fireworks; that’s what you thought you would’ve heard.”
She said she was “scared to death.” The gunfire “sounded so close, like [the bullets] could’ve very easily come in one of our windows.”
Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation can call the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 706-278-1233 or the GBI Tip Line at 800-597-8477.