Jose Plasencia: Man with criminal past identified in murder-suicide that left 3 young siblings dead

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GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA: Gwinnett County police have identified the person responsible for the tragic deaths of three children at a park before taking their own life.

The defendant has been identified as 56-year-old Jose Plasencia, as per Fox5Atlanta.

The children who tragically lost their lives were Arianny Rodriguez, aged 13, Chadal Rodriguez, aged 11, and Carlos Rodriguez, aged 9. 

Who was Jose Plasencia?

Jose Plasencia was previously arrested for a charge related to an expired or absent license, along with a traffic violation.

Investigators revealed that Plasencia was known to have a firearm, although he told some individuals that he had recently gotten rid of it.

Police confirmed death of 3 children alongside a man with gunshot wounds

Sergeant Michele Pihera confirmed that the man and three children sustained gunshot wounds, though the medical examiner’s office must ascertain if these wounds caused their deaths.

Pihera stated that the firearm used in the killings was discovered at the scene, leading investigators to suspect that the murders occurred inside the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the mother of the children was admitted to the hospital while another child was undergoing treatment for an unrelated injury.

Authorities confirmed the biological relationship between the man and woman to the child but clarified that they were not romantically involved at the time of the shooting.

Plasencia, identified as the mother's "ex-husband" and "former stepfather of the children," was at the hospital with the three children.

Pihera added, "After some time, the mother agreed to let the three children go with the suspect to grab a bite to eat while she remained at the hospital," as per Newsweek.

Mother initiates GoFundMe campaign to support family after tragic loss of children

Karina Rodriguez, the mother of the three deceased children, has established a GoFundMe page. She expressed profound sorrow following the loss of her "three little angels," describing herself as devastated with her heart shattered. 

Rodriguez emphasized, “ I am devastated with my heart in pieces my world was my children and I was mother and father to them so that they never lacked anything and they took the lives of my little angels from me.”

The fundraising campaign has garnered $36,639 USD out of its $95,000 goal as of May 11.

Rodriguez emphasized the purpose of raising funds to cover funeral expenses for her, "little angels and to be able to send them to my country which is the Dominican Republic and give them Christian burial"