Crime
18-year-old Tyler Bathke arrested after a threat led to an East High School lockdown
UPDATE: Last week, Cheyenne Police Officers began an investigation into a threat that occurred at East High School located at 2800 East Pershing Boulevard.
On Tuesday, the wanted subject, Tyler Bathke, 18, of Cheyenne, turned himself in on a felony warrant.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
On Thursday, September 26 at approximately 1:18 p.m., a School Resource Officer (SRO) at East High received a report that a male student, later identified as Bathke, was carrying a gun in his waistband and made several concerning statements to other students – one of which indicated that a school shooting was going to occur.
SROs and school administrators met immediately to assess the potential threat.
Within minutes, East High was placed into a lockdown and the nearby Carey Jr. High School was placed into a secure perimeter.
Additional officers were called to the scene and quickly located Bathke.
Following a sweep of the school and surrounding areas, it was determined that there was no evidence of a gun in his possession, but officers did verify that threatening statements were made.
Due to the disruptive nature of this incident and mass panic created within the schools, officers applied for an arrest warrant for Bathke the following day.
On Tuesday, October 1, Bathke turned himself into the Laramie County Jail.
He was arrested and booked without incident on a felony charge of making terroristic threats.
“School threats carry very real consequences,” said Chief Mark Francisco. “This incident caused unnecessary fear, panic, and disruption in our community and placed a burden on school and police resources. We will always take violent threats seriously and will continue to work closely with our partners in education.”
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Students play an essential role in reporting information to authorities. Social media threats or concerning statements should always be reported to an SRO or submitted through the Safe-2-Tell Hotline (844-996-7233) (844-WYO-SAFE).
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.