The Floyd County Coroner, Brent Whatley, has officially identified the young man who tragically lost his life following a shooting in the Family Dollar parking lot on North Broad Street as 22-year-old Chancellore Donaldson. According to officials, Donaldson’s body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab, where an autopsy will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.
The heartbreaking incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026, sending shockwaves through the Rome, Georgia community. At approximately 12:42 a.m., E-911 dispatchers received urgent calls reporting gunfire at the Family Dollar store located at 1417 N Broad St NE. Responding officers and emergency medical personnel arrived swiftly to a devastating scene—an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite rapid medical intervention and transport to a nearby hospital, the young victim ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Authorities later confirmed his identity as Chancellore Donaldson, bringing a name and a face to yet another life lost to senseless violence.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, led by the Rome Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. Investigators have confirmed that evidence was collected at the scene and multiple leads are being pursued. However, officials stress that community cooperation is critical to solving this case and bringing accountability to those responsible.
Police have emphasized that numerous individuals were in the area at the time of the shooting, and investigators believe witnesses may hold vital information. “Someone saw something. Someone knows who pulled the trigger,” authorities stated, urging anyone with information, photos, or video footage to come forward without delay. Tips can be reported through emergency services or anonymously through the Crime Tip Line at 706-236-5000.
The identification provided by Brent Whatley marks a painful milestone for Donaldson’s loved ones, who are now left to grieve the sudden and tragic loss of a young life with so much ahead of it. While investigators continue their work to uncover the truth, a family, friends, and a community are left searching for answers and holding onto memories.
Chancellore Donaldson’s passing is being mourned not only as a statistic in a police report but as the loss of a son, a friend, and a young man whose life was cut short far too soon. In moments like these, communities are reminded of the fragility of life and the lasting impact of violence on families and neighborhoods.
As the investigation continues, authorities have stated that additional updates will be released when appropriate. For now, the focus remains on seeking justice and urging anyone with even the smallest piece of information to step forward.
In loving memory of Chancellore Donaldson, may he be remembered beyond the tragedy of his final moments—remembered for his life, his name, and the love he leaves behind.
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