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In a shocking and tragic incident on January 17, 2025, a gunman opened fire inside the Coquette restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina, resulting in one death and one injury before the suspect turned the weapon on himself. Authorities responded to a call shortly before 11 a.m., with Raleigh Police Chief Estella D. Patterson calling the event "troubling" and confirming that it was not random but rather the result of a dispute between individuals.
The gunman, identified as George Colom Jr., a chef at Coquette, allegedly shot two victims—one of whom was fatally wounded. The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Jonathan Mark Schaffer, the manager of Urban Food Group, which owns Coquette. The second victim, 24-year-old Jonathan Aguilar Vega, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
According to reports, the shooting occurred during a routine meeting at the restaurant before a shift. Aguilar shared that a cake was being cut to celebrate a bartender’s birthday when the gunfire erupted. He was injured in the hand by one of the bullets but survived. Other businesses in the area, as well as local schools, were placed on lockdown during the investigation.
Schaffer’s death has left the community devastated, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support those impacted, with $15,000 raised so far toward the $30,000 goal. Coquette, a beloved local eatery, has been temporarily closed, and staff members have been checking in on one another during this difficult time. As of January 17, Colom Jr. remains in critical condition after shooting himself.
The North Hills community, including local business owners, has expressed sorrow over the loss and offered support to those affected by the tragedy. Governor Josh Stein has also pledged state assistance in the aftermath of the incident.
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