Crime
Man Killed, Juvenile Injured in Annapolis Shooting; Suspect Identified and Wanted
Annapolis, MD – Authorities are actively searching for a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Wednesday, March 19, in Annapolis, leaving one man dead and a juvenile injured.
According to the Annapolis Police Department (APD), officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 100 block of Clay Street at approximately 7:40 a.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered 36-year-old John Simms Jr., an Annapolis resident, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite life-saving efforts, Simms Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second victim, a juvenile, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore for treatment.
Investigators identified 31-year-old Roscoe Jerome Jones, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, as the primary suspect in the case.
An arrest warrant was issued for Jones at 6:44 p.m. on March 19, charging him with:
- First-degree murder in the death of John Simms Jr.
- Assault related to the juvenile victim’s injuries.
Authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the events leading up to the shooting.
Law enforcement officials, including the U.S. Marshals Service, are actively working to locate and apprehend Jones.
“I’d like to thank my Deputy Chief, command staff, community members, and the dedicated men and women in uniform who worked diligently to advance this case,” said Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson.
Authorities urge the public not to approach Jones, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to:
- Call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Contact Detective Courtney Moore at 443-714-0088 or via email at clmoore@annapolis.gov.
- Contact Detective J. Liebross at 410-562-7520 or via email at jdliebross@annapolis.gov.
- Submit anonymous tips to the U.S. Marshals tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 or online.
Authorities will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
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.