What started as a sidewalk confrontation near downtown Orlando early Sunday ended in deadly gunfire, according to police.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. yesterday, officers were called to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, where they found an adult man with an apparent gunshot wound. Orlando Police say officers arrived at about 2:31 a.m., rendered aid on scene, and had the victim transported to a hospital, where he later died. Investigators say the shooting followed a confrontation on the sidewalk.
Orlando Police later identified the victim as Julien Emmanuel Cruz (born May 18, 1992) and the suspect as Jean Gabriel Borja Gil de la Madr (born Oct. 29, 1988). According to the department, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation, after which the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz. Patrol units then located the suspect's vehicle on the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue and took him into custody. He has been charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, according to Orlando Police.
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.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) February 22, 2026
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, later identified as Julien… pic.twitter.com/aT6TKpMfyq
What police say
Police say Cruz was taken from the scene to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact CrimeLine at 800-423-TIPS or call the Orlando Police non-emergency line, according to the City of Orlando.
Charges and legal penalties
Authorities have charged Jean Gabriel Borja Gil de la Madr with second-degree murder with a firearm. Under Florida law, murder statutes and related sentencing guidelines treat second-degree murder as a serious felony that can carry lengthy prison terms, including life in prison in some circumstances, and the use of a firearm can trigger mandatory minimum sentences, as outlined in the Florida Statutes.
Downtown context
The shooting comes just days after another violent episode downtown, a 4-on-1 smoke shop beatdown last Wednesday that left a veteran hospitalized, as reported by Hoodline. That incident and other recent reports have renewed attention on late-night safety in Orlando's central business district.
The investigation into the North Orange Avenue shooting remains active, and Orlando Police Department homicide detectives are handling the case. This story will be updated as public records and official statements are released.
