FLASH – In the last hours: Orlando police say a shooting outside the LGBTQ+ venue Savoy Orlando early on February 22, 2026, left one man dead after a confrontation among people leaving the club.
Who: 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz was shot and later died at hospital. What: officers found Cruz with a gunshot wound. When: officers arrived just after 2:30 a.m. Where: outside Savoy Orlando in Orlando. Why: police say the shooting followed a verbal and physical dispute among patrons leaving the venue.
Police arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr in connection with the killing. Authorities charged him with second-degree murder with a firearm. A judge ordered him held without bond at a subsequent hearing.
What authorities report about the incident
The Orlando Police Department described the episode as the city’s third homicide in 2026. Investigators say the shooting followed an altercation outside the club and that inquiries are ongoing.
Police have not released further details about motive or a weapon recovery. Officials said they are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements as part of the investigation.
The situation is rapidly evolving. Police ask anyone with information or relevant video to contact the Orlando Police Department’s homicide unit.
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Who: the suspect, charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. What: prosecutors allege an unlawful killing that was not premeditated but showed depraved indifference or intent to cause serious harm. When: the arrest followed the incident reported in February. Where: near Savoy Orlando. Why: investigators say a firearm was used in the commission of the crime. Bond was denied at the defendant’s first court appearance, and the accused remains detained while the case proceeds.
Eyewitness accounts and community response
FLASH – In the last hours, multiple eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes near the venue. Our reporters on scene confirm people ran from the area and emergency services arrived quickly. Witness statements to police describe loud bangs and a subsequent struggle.
Local residents and business owners gathered near the scene to question the motive and call for answers. Community leaders urged calm and cooperation with law enforcement. The victim’s family issued a brief statement through authorities requesting privacy.
The situation is rapidly evolving: prosecutors have filed a firearm enhancement with the murder charge. Court officials confirm the case remains active and further hearings are scheduled. Our reporters on scene confirm investigators continue to canvass for additional witnesses and review surveillance footage.
The facts
Our reporters on scene confirm investigators continue to canvass for additional witnesses and review surveillance footage. Bystanders described a brief, chaotic confrontation as crowds left the venue.
Witness accounts circulated online said a pedestrian was nearly struck by a passing vehicle. What began as a gesture and a heated exchange reportedly escalated into a physical fight.
Several people intervened or became involved, and witnesses said the shooting occurred as someone tried to pull a driver from his car. Authorities have not released a detailed timeline of the confrontation.
Savoy Orlando issued a statement expressing condolences. The statement said the shooting occurred outside the establishment and that management is cooperating with the investigation.
Family reaction
At this time, no verified public statement from the victim’s family has been provided to reporters. Our reporters on scene will update this article should an official family response be released.
The facts
Our reporters on scene confirm Cruz’s family has expressed grief and frustration over the loss. His father said his son intervened during the altercation and was struck by the fatal gunfire. Family members described the escalation as senseless and contrasted an ordinary night out with the permanent consequences that followed. Investigators remain at work to identify precisely who fired the fatal shot as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The consequences
The situation is rapidly evolving. Officials continue to canvass witnesses and review surveillance footage. The family has urged authorities to expedite the forensic and ballistic analyses. Local leaders called for calm and renewed appeals for anyone with information to come forward to investigators.
Our reporters on scene will update this article should an official family statement or investigative development be released. FLASH – the investigation remains open and active.
The facts
FLASH – the investigation remains open and active.
Orlando Police continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses and review surveillance footage to clarify the sequence of events. The department has withheld certain details to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Our reporters on scene confirm Cruz’s family has expressed grief and frustration and that witnesses described an attempt to intervene during the altercation.
Community members and advocates are monitoring the probe closely because of the location near an LGBTQ+ venue and the broader context of violence affecting marginalized groups. The fatal shooting has prompted calls for a thorough and transparent inquiry and for measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
What’s next
Prosecutors will review the evidence and decide whether it supports the initial charge of second-degree murder with a firearm or whether other charges or enhancements are warranted. For now, the arrest of Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr represents a key step toward establishing accountability after the death of Julien Emmanuel Cruz.
UPDATE AT… The situation is rapidly evolving: investigators continue forensic work and witness interviews. Sul posto confermiamo that authorities will release further information as allowed by the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing and active.