Crime
No active threat identified at Newman Regional Health in Emporia
UPDATE: Police confirm the active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health was a false alarm.
EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia State University (ESU) issued an emergency alert Thursday afternoon after reports of an active shooter at Newman Regional Health, prompting a lockdown and urgent safety warnings for students, staff, and the surrounding community.
The alert was first sent out at 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, through the university’s official Twitter/X account and emergency notification system.
The incident reportedly occurred near Cora Miller Hall and Newman Regional Health, both located close to campus.
The initial message from ESU read:
“ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.”
Within minutes, ESU posted a more detailed statement on its website, urging students and faculty to take immediate action. The message outlined standard “Run, Hide, Fight” protocols for active shooter situations:
- RUN: Evacuate quickly and cautiously if possible, moving away from the shooter’s location. Leave belongings behind, assist others if safe to do so, and do not stop until reaching a secure location. Call 911 once safe.
- HIDE: If escape is not possible, shelter in place out of the attacker’s view, preferably in a room with solid walls. Lock and barricade doors, silence cell phones, and remain quiet. Prepare a defense plan and await law enforcement instructions.
- FIGHT: As a last resort, defend yourself if your life is in immediate danger. Use available objects as improvised weapons, act with aggression, and coordinate with others if possible to overpower the assailant.
The advisory also provided instructions for when law enforcement arrives, urging individuals to remain calm, keep hands visible, and follow all commands without sudden movements.
Police and emergency responders were dispatched immediately to the scene. ESU stressed that individuals should not approach the area and instead report any suspicious activity directly to 911.
At this time, no additional details about the suspect, possible victims, or the circumstances surrounding the report have been released.
Authorities are continuing to investigate, and updates are expected through official ESU channels, including the university website and the RAVE alert system.
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.