Family and friends of a man killed outside of a popular Orlando LGBTQ+ nightclub are calling for answers and justice. A man is accused of murder after police say he shot another man following a verbal and physical altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Orlando Police Department.The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, north of Lake Ivanhoe.When police arrived at the scene, they found Julien Emmanuel Cruz, 33, with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died, police said.Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and partner were at Savoy enjoying the evening.”My son’s supposed to be burying me, I’m not supposed to be burying my son,” he said. “I’m numb. I can’t even cry no more. I’ve been crying all day.”An investigation revealed the altercation that took place on the sidewalk prior to the shooting. The suspect, later identified as Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr, 37, is being charged with second degree murder with a firearm after fleeing the scene.The car was located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, just two blocks from where the shooting occurred.Gabriel Borja was arrested, but Cruz’s father and partner said there was another individual who actually pulled the trigger.Cruz said the two were exiting Savoy after it closed when a car sped by, and Cruz’s partner yelled at two people in it.He said they stopped and one began fighting with Cruz’s partner.”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,” he said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt. A shirt with a bullet hole. And this is just not cool.”A small memorial has formed across from Savoy.While the shooting did not occur on the club’s property, owner Joshua Cooper said the entire gay community has been rocked.”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 and seeing a family that is so heartbroken and supportive of this community and it just says so much.”WESH 2 reached out to the Orlando Police Department to ask if police are searching for any other suspects, but has not yet received a response.>> This is a developing story.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Family and friends of a man killed outside of a popular Orlando LGBTQ+ nightclub are calling for answers and justice.
A man is accused of murder after police say he shot another man following a verbal and physical altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Orlando Police Department.
The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, north of Lake Ivanhoe.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Julien Emmanuel Cruz, 33, with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died, police said.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and partner were at Savoy enjoying the evening.
“My son’s supposed to be burying me, I’m not supposed to be burying my son,” he said. “I’m numb. I can’t even cry no more. I’ve been crying all day.”
An investigation revealed the altercation that took place on the sidewalk prior to the shooting. The suspect, later identified as Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr, 37, is being charged with second degree murder with a firearm after fleeing the scene.
The car was located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, just two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Gabriel Borja was arrested, but Cruz’s father and partner said there was another individual who actually pulled the trigger.
Cruz said the two were exiting Savoy after it closed when a car sped by, and Cruz’s partner yelled at two people in it.
He said they stopped and one began fighting with Cruz’s partner.
“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,” he said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt. A shirt with a bullet hole. And this is just not cool.”
A small memorial has formed across from Savoy.
While the shooting did not occur on the club’s property, owner Joshua Cooper said the entire gay community has been rocked.
“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 and seeing a family that is so heartbroken and supportive of this community and it just says so much.”
WESH 2 reached out to the Orlando Police Department to ask if police are searching for any other suspects, but has not yet received a response.
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On February 22, 2026, at approximately 2:31 a.m., Orlando Police officers responded to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue in reference to a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, later identified as Julien… pic.twitter.com/aT6TKpMfyq
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) February 22, 2026
>> This is a developing story.