COBB COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: Cobb County police have announced an arrest in the case. Bryan Rhoden is being charged with three counts of murder, three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of kidnapping.
ORIGINAL STORY JULY 7
Police have released the name of the third victim in a triple murder investigation at the Pinetree Country Club and golf course in Kennesaw.
Cobb County police said Henry Valdez, 46, of California, was one of the two men found dead inside a truck that a suspect drove onto the course Saturday.
The other victim inside the truck was previously identified as Paul Pierson, 76, of Kansas. Police say Pierson owned the truck.
Gene Siller, a golf professional at the club, was also shot and killed by the suspect. Police said Siller was not targeted but instead came across a crime in progress happening on the golf course.
Police said Valdez and Pierson appear to have no relation to the location. A suspect has not been identified and is on the run.
Channel 2′s Chris Jose has been in touch a few times with Siller’s family who is expected to release a statement about the killing soon.
A memorial now sits at the 10th hole on the course which reopened on Wednesday.
“The most dangerous thing (on the course) is crossing the road when you’re playing golf for crying out loud,” neighbor John Price. “The randomness of the attack. It’s so far out of left field.”
A former club member, who didn’t want to be identified, told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington that a friend of hers was with Siller the day of the shooting.
“They were on the driving range and they saw the truck and the golf pro went to check it out,” the woman said.
John Lavendar told Washington he was on the green when he heard gunshots.
“It’s very disturbing. It’s definitely disturbing,” Lavendar said.
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Phil Holloway is a former police officer and prosecutor. He is not tied to the case, but told Jose that police are likely looking at phone records and trying to piece together where all three men were in the minutes before their deaths.
The 10th hole will remain closed in memory of Siller. Those playing on the course will skip from the 9th hole to the 11th hole.
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