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.
BROOKLYN PARK, MN – Newly released video footage captures the moment a small aircraft crashed into a home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of individuals on board or the extent of any injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has verified that the aircraft went down near Noble Parkway and 109th Avenue North, sparking a fire upon impact.
Witnesses in the area reported seeing flames engulfing a portion of the house as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Fire crews have since extinguished the blaze, and while the home remains standing, officials noted that the roof was completely torn off due to the crash.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft departed from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa and was en route to Anoka County–Blaine Airport in Minneapolis before it went down.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and details regarding the plane’s occupants have yet to be released.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the incident, stating that his administration is closely monitoring developments.
“My team is in touch with local officials on the scene in Brooklyn Park, and we are monitoring the situation closely,” Walz wrote on X. “Grateful to the first responders answering the call.”
Dramatic video from the crash site shows thick smoke billowing from the residence as firefighters work to contain the flames.
Emergency medical personnel were also seen on-site, though no official statements have been made regarding casualties or survivors.
Authorities are expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses.