Crime
Weapons found at Lamar High School in Houston, 2 students charged
Both students are facing serious charges related to the possession of weapons on school grounds.
Two students at Lamar High School in Houston were arrested on Tuesday morning after being found in possession of weapons on campus.
School administrators received a tip that a student may be attempting to bring a gun to school.
After a brief off-campus pursuit, the student was apprehended, and a weapon was recovered.
Shortly thereafter, another student was found to be in possession of a weapon. This student was also arrested and charged with a felony.
Both students are facing serious charges related to the possession of weapons on school grounds.
Here’s is the full message that was sent to parents:
All students and staff are safe, but I do need to make our school community aware of a serious safety incident that occurred this morning. Our campus administration was made aware that a student may attempt to bring a gun to school this morning. HISD PD responded immediately and, after a brief off-campus pursuit, police were able to locate the weapon and detain the student.
Administration suspected that another student may also be in possession of a weapon. The student was searched by HISD police on campus and a weapon was confiscated. Both students will be assigned disciplinary actions aligned with the Texas Education Code and have been charged with a felony criminal offense by the District Attorney (DA).
HISD takes every threat to campus safety seriously and works closely with local law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all students and staff. As an added precautionary measure, we will have increased on-campus patrols and will be wanding all students with hand-held metal detectors during morning arrival until we are confident this has been resolved.
Students may experience a short delay at entry. All students should enter at the Transit Center or on the 2nd level from the garage. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority.
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.