In the late hours of a Saturday in August 2024, a tragic event unfolded at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton, Georgia, resulting in the death of 21-year-old David Antonio Delgadillo, a Hispanic male. Delgadillo, along with three other young men, was found deceased at the scene by Whitfield County deputies who were responding to reports of gunfire around 11:15 p.m. The other victims were identified as 19-year-old Joshua Pedro Pelico-Pelico of Dalton, 18-year-old Robert Valencia of Rome, and 17-year-old Daniel Segura-Cruz, also of Rome.
Investigators believe the deadly encounter was the result of a prearranged meeting that escalated into violence. Authorities stated that a group, including Valencia and Segura-Cruz, traveled from Rome to meet with Delgadillo and Pelico-Pelico at the park. The purpose of the meeting was reportedly for the Rome group to acquire an unspecified 'contraband.' The situation turned into what law enforcement has described as an attempted robbery that devolved into a shootout. Evidence from the scene indicated that both parties were armed, and multiple types of shell casings were recovered, confirming an exchange of gunfire. Sheriff Scott Chitwood of Whitfield County noted that the incident appeared to be isolated and was not believed to be gang-related.
The investigation into the quadruple homicide led to swift action by law enforcement. The day after the shooting, a 16-year-old male from Rome was taken into custody. Due to his age, his identity has not been publicly released, but he faces four counts of felony murder. The search for others involved continued for several months. In February 2025, a second suspect, 18-year-old Andres Jared Guzman of Rome, was arrested by investigators from the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Guzman has been charged with murder and is being held in the Whitfield County jail. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains active as they continue to seek additional suspects connected to the fatal park shooting.
