In the late hours of a Saturday, on August 24, 2024, the tranquility of Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton, Georgia, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. When Whitfield County deputies arrived, they discovered a tragic scene: four young Hispanic men had been shot and killed. Among them was 17-year-old Daniel Segura-Cruz, a resident of Rome, Georgia. Known affectionately as Danny to his loved ones, he was a senior at Rome High School with a passion for soccer and a future full of promise. The other victims were identified as his friend from Rome, 18-year-old Robert Alexis Valencia, and two men from Dalton, 21-year-old David Antonio Delgadillo and 19-year-old Joshua Pedro Pelico-Pelico.
The investigation that followed revealed a prearranged meeting that had taken a fatal turn. Authorities determined that Segura-Cruz and Valencia had traveled from Rome to meet Delgadillo and Pelico-Pelico at the park for the purpose of obtaining what was described as 'contraband'. Evidence suggested that both groups arrived at the park armed, and at some point during their encounter, a shootout erupted between them. Investigators believe the motive was a robbery that escalated into a deadly exchange of gunfire, and they have stated that the incident does not appear to be gang-related.
The search for those responsible began immediately, leading to the swift arrest of a 16-year-old from Rome on four counts of felony murder. This suspect was later identified as Juan “Diego” Cruz-Duque, who was indicted by a grand jury on 12 counts of felony murder, armed robbery, and other related charges. According to the indictment, Cruz-Duque had driven Segura-Cruz and Valencia to the park for a 'drug transaction' with the intent to rob the other two men of vape pens and money. The investigation continued, and in February 2025, a second suspect, 18-year-old Andres Jared Guzman of Rome, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the quadruple homicide. Authorities indicated that they were still seeking additional suspects.
