Crime
15-year-old boy killed after shooting at Magnolia Pointe Apartments in Durham
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
Durham police are conducting an investigation into a tragic shooting on Saturday that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, identified as AJ.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to reports of a gunshot wound at the Magnolia Pointe Apartments, located in the 4800 block of Danube Lane.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
At the scene, investigators placed 20 evidence markers on the ground, indicating the extent of the crime scene.
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
“A child should be able to play in the snow,” said Mayor Leonardo Williams. “I’ve gone from being sad to just mad as hell. I’m deeply frustrated.”
The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing their sorrow and outrage on social media.
“It’s heartbreaking that children cannot simply be children in this town,” one resident wrote. “Praying for this child’s family and anyone who witnessed this trauma.”
Another community member shared, “Lord, please pray for his mama and sister.”
Mayor Williams echoed these sentiments, expressing both his frustration and his commitment to addressing the city’s public safety challenges.
“I share the concerns of our residents,” Mayor Williams stated. “Public safety is being overlooked, and the systems designed to protect us are not functioning as they should. We need to adopt a proactive approach to public safety, and a key part of that is investing in our children.”
Durham police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Investigator J. Smith can be reached at 919-560-4440 ext. 29365. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting durhamcrimestoppers.org or calling 919-683-1200.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Jonathan Schaffer killed in shooting inside Coquette Brasserie at North Hills in Raleigh
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Two employees of Coquette Brasserie have identified the gunman involved in Friday’s deadly shooting, which left one employee dead and another injured.
The incident unfolded inside the French restaurant, located at 4351 The Circle at North Hills Street in Raleigh.
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Colom then shot Jonathan Aguilar, another employee, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shootings, Colom turned the gun on himself. He remains in critical condition, according to Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Chief Patterson stated that all shots were fired inside the restaurant and the incident appeared to stem from a personal dispute.
She emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Urban Food Group, the company that owns Coquette, had listed Colom as the restaurant’s executive chef on its website. However, his name has since been removed.
Colom has a notable criminal history:
In September 2024, Colom was involved in a crash in Orange County, North Carolina, and pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was ordered to pay $193 in court costs.
In January 2011, Colom was convicted in federal court for possessing a stolen firearm in New Mexico. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. The charges stemmed from a 2010 incident.
After his release from federal prison, Colom returned to North Carolina and transitioned into the restaurant industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he initially worked in the Wilmington area before moving to the Raleigh-Durham region around 2017.
Before his incarceration, Colom reportedly attended culinary classes at Central New Mexico Community College, where he honed his skills as a chef. His social media accounts feature photos of his culinary creations alongside images of firearms tagged with evidence markers from the U.S. Department of Justice.
State court records indicate that Colom is originally from Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina, near the coast. His record also includes minor drug charges.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Chief Patterson has assured the public that no additional threats exist, and authorities are working to provide clarity to the community.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Raleigh Police Department or submit tips anonymously.