Crime
Police Incident Shuts Down I-77 in North Canton Amid Active Shooting Situation
A section of Interstate 77 in Stark County that was closed on Sunday afternoon has reopened, according to the Jackson Township Police Department.
The closure was prompted by a law enforcement operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service.
Timeline of Events
- Start of Operation:
Jackson Township Police Chief Mark Brink reported that the U.S. Marshals Service initiated a law enforcement operation in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip N.W. in Jackson Township around 11 a.m. - Incident Location:
The operation centered around the Roadway Inn, located at 6880 Sunset Strip Avenue. According to an employee at the motel, authorities appeared to be targeting a specific individual for arrest. - Gunfire Reported:
During the encounter, shots were fired, and part of the incident was captured on camera by a witness. - SWAT Involvement:
The Canton Regional SWAT team and Canton Police officers also responded to the scene in a SWAT capacity. Their presence ensured public safety and assisted in resolving the situation. - Nearby Business Lockdown:
The Cracker Barrel restaurant, located at 6940 Sunset Strip Avenue, was temporarily placed on lockdown during the operation. The restaurant has since reopened, and normal activities have resumed in the area.
Traffic and Public Safety
The temporary closure of I-77 caused significant traffic disruptions as law enforcement secured the scene. However, the highway was reopened later in the day after the situation was brought under control.
Investigation Ongoing
Details surrounding the law enforcement operation, including the identity of the individual involved and any arrests made, have not yet been disclosed. The incident remains under investigation by local and federal authorities.
Residents and businesses in the area have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Orlando, Fla. โ 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.
Cruzโs 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. Cruzโs partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruzโs partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
โWhen 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,โ Anthony Cruz said. โMy son didnโt deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt โ a shirt with a bullet hole.โ
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruzโs 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 Cruzโs memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the clubโs property.
โI didnโt know the victim, but from everything Iโve been told, I wish I had,โ Cooper said. โHe seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.โ
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.