Crime
GCSO deputies shot suspect in active shooter incident at Gwinnett County Jail in Georgia
Gwinnett County, Georgia (October 7, 2024) – Sheriff Keybo Taylor held a press conference to provide an update on the active shooter incident that occurred at the Gwinnett County Jail earlier in the day.
Key details from the press conference include:
- Subject’s Background: The individual involved in the shooting had previous encounters with law enforcement and was exhibiting erratic behavior prior to arriving at the Gwinnett Justice Administration Center (GJAC).
- Law Enforcement Interaction: The subject’s recent contact with local law enforcement officials is still being confirmed.
- Incident Timeline: Upon arriving at the jail, the subject was confronted by Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) deputies. After exiting the building, the subject returned to their vehicle, retrieved a firearm, and opened fire on the deputies.
- Officer Response: GCSO deputies immediately returned fire and shot the subject.
- Medical Treatment: The subject was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
- Public Safety: Sheriff Taylor assured the community that there is no ongoing threat to public safety and commended the deputies for their swift and decisive response.
- Investigation: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken over the investigation, and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office will provide updates on when normal operations will resume.
Original Statement:
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the active shooter situation at the jail earlier in the day. New intakes were temporarily halted, and all traffic approaching the jail was redirected.
The sheriff’s office assured the community that the situation was under control and there was no threat to public safety.
The investigation was ongoing, and the public was encouraged to follow official social media channels for updates.
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.