Julien Emmanuel Cruz, a 33-year-old man from Orlando, was fatally shot in the early hours of Sunday, February 22, 2026, outside the Savoy Orlando nightclub, a well-known LGBTQ+ venue located in the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 2:31 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Cruz suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators revealed that the shooting stemmed from a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical confrontation on the sidewalk outside the club. The suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil de la Madr, allegedly pulled out a firearm during the dispute and shot Cruz. Witnesses at the scene provided critical information that helped police identify and locate the suspect shortly after the incident.
Jean Gabriel Borja Gil de la Madr was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. Authorities confirmed that he was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held pending further legal proceedings. The Orlando Police Department emphasized that the shooting was not random and that the two men were involved in a direct confrontation prior to the fatal shot being fired.
Cruz’s death has left his family and the local LGBTQ+ community in mourning. His father, Anthony Cruz, spoke emotionally to local media, expressing his devastation and disbelief. “My son was supposed to bury me. I’m not supposed to be burying my son,” he said, describing the pain of losing Julien as unbearable. Friends and community members have remembered Julien as a vibrant and kind-hearted individual who was deeply loved.
The incident has reignited concerns about violence in nightlife districts and the safety of LGBTQ+ spaces. Community leaders and advocates have called for increased security measures and more visible law enforcement presence during peak hours. The Savoy Orlando, where the incident occurred, has not yet issued a public statement but is reportedly cooperating with investigators.
As the legal case against Borja Gil de la Madr progresses, the focus remains on seeking justice for Julien Emmanuel Cruz. The Orlando Police Department continues to encourage anyone with additional information or video footage of the incident to come forward. Meanwhile, the community prepares to honor Cruz’s memory with vigils and tributes that celebrate his life and call for peace.
