Crime
Juvenile shot at Lindley Middle School in Mableton, Georgia
Cobb County Schools said this was self inflicted.
Lindley Middle School, located at 50 Veterans Memorial Highway, was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon following a shooting incident on campus, authorities confirmed.
The swift response ensured the safety of students and staff, and the campus has since been thoroughly cleared and deemed secure.
A spokesperson for the Cobb County School District provided additional information regarding the incident at Lindley Middle School, stating, “This afternoon, a student at Lindley Middle School tragically used a firearm in an act of self-harm, which initiated a Code Red lockdown. School administrators, in collaboration with a Cobb County School District police officer, responded promptly and successfully secured the weapon.”
The student was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and remains in critical condition. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and support services have been made available to the school community to help cope with the tragedy.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Cobb County Police Department, in collaboration with the Cobb County School Police, secured the campus and initiated a lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Parents were directed to reunite with their children at Leland United Methodist Church at 81 Veterans Memorial Highway, where arrangements were made for an orderly and safe process.
Police and school officials worked closely to manage the situation, and a visible law enforcement presence remains on-site as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding the circumstances leading to the shooting or the identity of any potential suspects. Law enforcement is actively gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine the events that transpired.
Officer Barner expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation:
“We are working closely with the Cobb County School Police and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and patience during this time.”
The incident has understandably caused concern among parents and the wider community. The Cobb County School District and local law enforcement are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the ongoing safety of students and staff.
Counseling and support services will be made available to students, staff, and families affected by this incident. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward to assist in the investigation.
The Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb County School Police will continue their collaborative efforts to ensure a thorough investigation. Updates on the situation will be shared with the public as they become available.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the shared responsibility for ensuring school safety.
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.