ORLANDO, Fla. – New details are emerging in a deadly shooting that happened outside a popular Orlando nightclub early Sunday morning, as the suspect’s attorney suggests the case could involve self-defense.
Orlando police say 37-year-old Jean Borja Gil de la Madr is accused of fatally shooting 33-year-old Julien Cruz following a physical altercation outside the Savoy nightclub along North Orange Avenue.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Investigators say the shooting occurred after a confrontation on the sidewalk near the nightclub.
Borja Gil de la Madr was arrested and remains in custody on a second-degree murder charge.
Criminal defense attorney Mark O’Mara, who represents Borja Gil de la Madr, said the circumstances may show his client acted lawfully under Florida’s self-defense laws.
“Florida has a very strong self-defense law,” O’Mara said. “It means you can protect yourself from a threat of deadly force.”
O’Mara said it is still unclear what caused his client to stop his vehicle along North Orange Avenue or how the initial altercation escalated.
According to O’Mara, his client exited his vehicle during an altercation but returned to the car as additional people began coming out of the club. He said someone may have forcibly opened the vehicle’s door moments before the shooting.
“If someone breaks into your car, which may have happened here, Florida law allows you to protect yourself using deadly force if necessary,” O’Mara said.
O’Mara also said he does not believe Cruz was targeted because the shooting occurred outside a gay nightclub.
“Yes, it seems the club was a gay nightclub and that’s where they were, but that appears to be the only connection,” he said. “My client was simply driving down the road when whatever happened brought them together.”
A makeshift memorial was visible near the scene Wednesday night, where loved ones of Cruz placed candles along the street.
As of Thursday, Borja Gil de la Madr remained held in the Orange County Jail without bond.