Joshua Pedro Pelico was 19 and a recent graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School when he was killed on the night of Saturday, August 24, 2024. Around 11:15 p.m. deputies responded to reports of gunfire at Pleasant Grove Park in Dalton and found Pelico and three other young men — David Antonio Delgadillo, 21, and two teens from Rome, 17-year-old Daniel Segura-Cruz and 18-year-old Robert Valencia — all shot to death.

Investigators say the four had met at the park for a prearranged meeting described as a transaction involving contraband. Evidence at the scene, including multiple types of shell casings, indicated both groups arrived armed and a shootout occurred; authorities stated they did not believe the incident was gang-related. A 16-year-old from Rome, identified as Juan Diego Cruz-Duque (also reported as Juan “Diego” Cruz-Duque), was arrested and later indicted on counts including felony murder and armed robbery; prosecutors alleged he drove Segura-Cruz and Valencia to the park and fired at Pelico and Delgadillo in an attempted robbery.

An 18-year-old, Andres Jared Guzman, was arrested and charged later. Cruz-Duque pleaded guilty to four counts of felony murder and became the prosecution’s primary witness in Guzman’s case. The jury in Guzman’s trial did not accept Cruz-Duque’s account.

If anyone knew Joshua Pedro Pelico or was at Pleasant Grove Park that night, please share what was seen or heard.