Crime
3 killed after shooting on Griffin Road in Spartanburg County
The Woodruff Police Department is investigating a tragic shooting incident that occurred on September 27th. Four people were shot, resulting in three fatalities. A fourth victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident stemmed from a dispute over hunting land access. Family members of the victims were witnesses to the shooting and have been interviewed by authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further information will be released after consultation with the Solicitor’s Office.
All parties involved have been identified, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
According to Ronnie Faulkner, My son is a true hero. He saved five lives while protecting his own son during a horrific incident. When the attacker, armed with an AR-15, shot my friend Paul, my son, Jeremy Faulkner, bravely stepped in and opened fire on the gunman. Despite being outgunned, Jeremy managed to fatally shoot the attacker, who had just taken Paul’s life. Tragically, the gunman then turned his weapon on Jeremy, shooting and killing him.
In his final moments, Jeremy’s bravery saved not only his own son but also Paul’s wife, their three kids, Kyle, and his little boy. These people owe their lives to my son’s courageous actions. We don’t yet know who the attackers are, but we will find out. Jeremy Faulkner gave his life to protect others, and he will always be remembered as a hero.
A group of friends and family were enjoying a day outdoors on four-wheelers when they encountered a tragic incident. Jeremy Faulkner, a 9-year-old boy, his father, and their friends were clearing debris from the roads and checking on the water levels near a creek.
They encountered two men near the creek who became involved in a verbal dispute with Paul, one of the friends. The situation escalated when one of the men pulled a gun on Paul and pointed it at his face. Paul pleaded with the man not to shoot, explaining that there were children present.
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, began shooting at Paul from the side. In a desperate act of bravery, Jeremy grabbed his own gun and fired at the assailant, fatally striking him. The second suspect, who was also injured, fled the scene but later turned himself in at a hospital.
The incident highlights the dangers of gun violence and the tragic consequences it can have.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.