Crime
35-year-old Cedric Hughley killed in shooting after fight over gas money in Dayton
This simple interaction escalated into a physical altercation.
Dayton, Ohio — Authorities have identified the man killed in a shooting at a gas station on November 14.
The incident occurred around 2:05 a.m. at a gas station in the 100 block of James H. McGee Boulevard.
Incident Details
According to the Dayton Police Department, the situation began when the driver of a vehicle allowed a man, later identified as Cedric Hughley, 35, to enter his car. Hughley reportedly sought shelter from the rain.
Once inside the vehicle, Hughley asked the driver for a ride home.
The driver agreed but requested gas money in exchange.
This simple interaction escalated into a physical altercation.
“The person loitering in the parking lot began to assault the driver of the car,” a police spokesperson explained.
During the struggle, the driver retrieved a firearm and shot Hughley.
Fatal Outcome
Hughley succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his identity.
Shooter’s Status
The driver, who allegedly fired the fatal shot, has not been arrested. Police are continuing their investigation, and it remains unclear if charges will be filed against him.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked discussions about self-defense laws and safety concerns at local gas stations.
Residents in the area have expressed mixed emotions, with some emphasizing the importance of personal safety while others call for peaceful resolutions to disputes.
Ongoing Investigation
Detectives are actively reviewing evidence and gathering witness statements to determine the full sequence of events.
Police have not disclosed if surveillance footage from the gas station has been obtained or if other witnesses were present during the altercation.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Dayton Police Department.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
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.