Crime
18-year-old Brandyn Waters killed in Newark shooting
A mass shooting in Newark’s Roseville section late Monday night left one young man dead and four others injured, according to officials with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on June 23 at 367 6th Avenue West, near 13th Street, after Newark police responded to reports of gunfire and a large, disorderly crowd in the area.
Upon arrival, officers discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds in what authorities described as a chaotic and violent scene.
One of the victims, 18-year-old Brandyn Waters of Paterson, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was immediately transported to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The four additional victims—two 19-year-old men, a 24-year-old, and a 26-year-old—were also taken to University Hospital for treatment.
Officials stated that some of the victims were in serious condition, though their current statuses have not been released.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing numerous rounds of gunfire, describing the moment as terrifying and sudden.
Several vehicles parked nearby were left riddled with bullet holes, indicating the intensity of the shooting and raising concerns about public safety in the area.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation, which remains active.
As of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made, and a motive has not yet been determined.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as they work to identify those responsible for the deadly violence.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation develops.
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.