In a quiet neighborhood in Oak Grove, Kentucky, a dispute between neighbors over loud music escalated into a fatal encounter on the morning of March 5, 2023, claiming the life of 43-year-old Dante Dewayne Welch, an African American male. Welch was sitting in his vehicle in the driveway of his New Gritton Avenue home with his young child in the backseat when he was shot.
The incident, which occurred around 11:20 a.m., left Welch with two gunshot wounds to the head, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation swiftly led to the arrest of his 60-year-old neighbor, Rodolfo Paz Amaya. According to police reports, a witness saw the shooting, and the suspected murder weapon was later found in Amaya's home. Amaya was subsequently charged with murder and first-degree wanton endangerment. The altercation reportedly stemmed from ongoing tensions between the two men concerning loud music.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Amaya's defense attorney indicated an intention to use a mental illness defense. Following a mental evaluation, Amaya was found competent to stand trial. On January 17, 2025, Rodolfo Paz Amaya pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the charges related to Welch's death. His sentencing was scheduled for March 12, 2025.
Dante DeWayne 'Boo' Welch, a native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was remembered as a devoted father of four children. He was employed at the Aludyne Manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, and had previously worked at Electrolux in Springfield, Tennessee. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
