Crime
Edward “Eddie” Haygood killed after shooting in Thomasville near Harper Elementary School
A 15-year-old has been taken into custody following a deadly shooting.
A 15-year-old has been taken into custody following a deadly shooting in Thomasville, Georgia, that left one man dead and prompted a temporary lockdown at a nearby elementary school, according to the Thomasville Police Department (TPD).
The shooting occurred late Tuesday morning in the 100 block of Fern Street, just two blocks from Harper Elementary School.
Officers responded to the scene following FLOCK alerts, 911 calls, and reports of shots fired in the area, according to a TPD press release.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Edward “Eddie” Haygood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately began administering first aid until emergency medical services arrived. Haygood was transported to Archbold Memorial Hospital, where he received further treatment. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
The suspect, a 15-year-old male, was apprehended around 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of Fern Street. He was taken to a youth detention center and now faces multiple charges, including:
- Murder
- Aggravated Assault
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Authorities have not disclosed a motive or further details about the relationship between the suspect and the victim as the investigation remains ongoing.
Due to the proximity of the shooting to Harper Elementary School, administrators placed the campus under lockdown as a precautionary measure shortly after the incident. Parents and staff were notified via a post on the Thomasville City Schools Facebook page.
The lockdown was lifted approximately two hours later, and school operations resumed as normal. The district has not reported any direct threats or incidents involving the school.
The fatal shooting has left the Thomasville community shaken, particularly given the involvement of a juvenile suspect and the close proximity to an elementary school.
Thomasville Police are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. Individuals can contact the Thomasville Police Department directly at 229-227-3302.
As police continue their investigation, they are working to uncover the events leading up to the shooting and the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Eddie Haygood.
This incident marks another somber reminder of the need for community vigilance and the importance of addressing violence in our neighborhoods.
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.