RALEIGH, N.C. — A chef at a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina, who was involved in a tragic shooting incident has succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by police on Sunday. George Colom Jr., aged 34 and serving as the executive chef at Coquette Brasserie, had been critically injured during the shooting that took place on Friday morning at the restaurant. His condition ultimately did not improve, leading to his unfortunate passing. Another individual, identified as a bystander and a fellow employee, was injured but has since been treated and discharged from the hospital.
According to law enforcement, the shooting appears to have arisen from a dispute among staff members. Authorities have indicated that more details surrounding the incident will be disclosed at an appropriate time. Jonathan Aguilar Vega, the injured employee, spoke with local media outlet WRAL-TV, revealing that he still has a bullet lodged in his hand due to the shooting. Vega recounted the events leading to the tragedy, stating, “We were having our daily meeting before the shift began. One of our employees had brought in a cake to celebrate a bartender’s birthday. She was cutting the cake, and moments later, I was shot.” He added that there was “no reason to hate (Colom) or dislike him or have anything personal against him.”
The deceased victim of the shooting incident has been identified as 26-year-old Jonathan Mark Schaffer. His LinkedIn profile notes that he had been involved in the restaurant sector for several years, with his most recent position being with Urban Food Group, which owns Coquette. Katie Carrigan, a friend and colleague, described Schaffer as “a kind and beautiful soul,” reflecting on the loss felt by those who knew him.
In a statement released by Colom’s father, George Colom Sr., he expressed his sorrow regarding the events and acknowledged the family’s upcoming loss, stating, “My son will soon pass away and we just want to bury our son in peace. No further questions or comments will be addressed.”
The shootings, which occurred in the bustling North Hills area of Raleigh that features numerous shops and dining establishments, caused significant traffic disruptions as police conducted their investigation. Additionally, several nearby schools were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure during the immediate aftermath of the incident.
