19-Year-Old Convicted of Attempted Second-Degree Murder for Shooting, Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
On March 12, 2026, 19-year-old Malachi Ahmad Rosario was sentenced to 15 years in prison with a ten year minimum mandatory following a no contest plea and conviction of attempted second-degree murder.
A Gainesville Police Department (GPD) investigation indicates that the shooting was in connection to a gang dispute between The South and Bricks. The shooting occurred at The Grove Apartments.
In June 2025, GPD Detective Matthew Quinn charged multiple individuals in connection with the shooting, which occurred three months prior. Among the individuals charged were Rosario and Jordan Welch, 19. Quinn reported, “No victims, witnesses, or co-defendants will be named in this arrest report for the safety of all involved.”
The charging document in Welch's case identifies the other co-defendants as De'Marion Robinson, 16, and Johntavious Peterson, 17.
Welch ultimately wasn't convicted of grand theft, however, his charging document alleged that he stole the vehicle that was used to facilitate the shooting.
A pretrial detention motion previously filed against Welch identifies him as the driver.
Quinn reported that “there is evidence to support that this shooting was gang related” and that the co-defendants are members or associates of The South gang.
In a post-Miranda interview, Rosario reportedly made the following statements:
In a post-Miranda interview, Peterson reportedly made the following statements:
In a post-Miranda interview, Robinson reportedly made the following statements:
Welch reportedly said he had no involvement in the shooting. The report doesn't describe him making any other statements.
Quinn reported that police “confirmed that bullet projectiles had struck at least three apartments and two vehicles. At the time of the shooting, the apartments were occupied with adults and young children who narrowly avoided being struck by the bullets. No persons were struck with bullet projectiles during this incident. [Police] collected video surveillance in the area which showed a white colored sedan vehicle arriving to the area just before the shooting, and then fleeing the area at a high rate of speed just after the shooting.”
In July 2025, prosecutors filed formal charges against Rosario for attempted second-degree murder. The charging document states Rosario did "unlawfully... by an act imminently dangerous to another... evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life, but without a premeditated design to effect the death of any particular person, did attempt to kill and murder a human being."
In October 2025, Welch was granted a withheld adjudication for being an accessory to attempted second-degree murder after the fact and sentenced to three years of probation.
In January 2026, Robinson was convicted of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and sentenced to roughly one year in jail followed by four years of probation.
Robinson and Welch both took plea agreements. Their plea forms indicate they agreed to testify truthfully if called to trial as a witness.
Rosario's plea agreement doesn't indicate if he's under a similar provision.
Rosario was facing an additional case for possessing a short barreled gun but prosecutors dismissed it as part of the plea deal.
Peterson's case is still open and he faces charges of possession of a short barreled gun, unlawful carrying of a concealed firearm, possessing a firearm underaged, firing a weapon into a building or dwelling, and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. The latter two charges are in connection with the shooting while the former are filed under a different case.
Regarding the case separate from the shooting, Quinn reported that Peterson "is further being investigated for his membership with the 'south' criminal gang..." Peterson "confirmed there is 'beef' between the 'south' and other opposing gang members who live in the 'bricks' (Sugar Hill neighborhood)."
Peterson has jury selection in both of his cases scheduled for May 18 but this could change if he decides to plead out instead of going to trial. If convicted of all charges, Peterson could face decades in prison.
