Crime
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old Alfred Hale, Dunbar High School Student in Dayton
An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Alfred Hale, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio.
Dayton police announced on Monday that a 23-year-old suspect was taken into custody following an extensive investigation that utilized advanced technological resources.
According to online jail records, Julius Maurice Williamson Jr., 23, was arrested by Dayton police on the morning of Saturday, April 6.
He is currently being held on suspicion of murder and a parole violation, though police have not yet formally released the suspect’s name or filed official charges.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 4, prompting a response from Dayton officers and medics to 27 S. Jefferson Street around 7:23 a.m.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered Hale suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, the teen tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims expressed sorrow over the loss, calling the incident a “senseless event” and emphasizing the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce violence.
“Incidents like this are exactly why we are involving the community in reducing violence and building a peaceful city,” Mayor Mims stated. “We have zero tolerance for violence in our neighborhoods, downtown, and across the city.”
Dayton Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence also issued a heartfelt statement following Hale’s death:
“The Dayton Public School District is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a 12th-grade student at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Alfred Hale was a valued member of both the Dunbar family and the broader Dayton Public Schools community. He will be greatly missed by students, staff, and all who knew him.”
Dr. Lawrence added that a crisis support team was immediately deployed to the high school on Friday and will continue to be available to assist students in coping with the tragedy.
He also urged students in need of support outside school hours to contact the Montgomery County 24/7 Crisis Support Line at 833-580-2255.
The superintendent further shared that he would be visiting the Hale family personally, reiterating the school district’s commitment to working with the city and local organizations to address the root causes of youth violence.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Dayton Police.
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.