North Hills Shooting

This article is being updated as additional information is released. Last updated 11am, Jan. 19.

UPDATE Jan. 19: Coquette released a statement on social media:

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UPDATE Jan. 19: The suspect in the homicide, George Colom Jr., 34, has died as a result of his injuries.

UPDATE Jan. 18: Colom’s father, George Colom Sr., released a statement on behalf of the family: “My family is saddened by the loss of Mr. Schaffer and we grieve for his family. We also share the pain with Mr. Aguilar. We are focused on our own son right now and want our privacy respected during this time. My son will soon pass away and we just want to bury our son in peace. No further questions or comments will be addressed.”

UPDATE 7:45pm, Jan. 17: RPD: “The victim who died is identified as Jonathan Mark Schaffer, 26. The victim who was injured, treated, and released from the hospital is identified as Jonathan Aguilar Vega, 24. The suspect remains hospitalized in critical condition. This is an ongoing investigation.”

UPDATE 6:44pm, Jan. 17: Multiple sources close to the case have told Raleigh Magazine, the shooting was prompted by a dispute over a mutual love connection who is also an employee at the restaurant.

UPDATE 4:20pm, Jan. 17: Coquette Executive Chef George Colom, who has a criminal history, is accused of allegedly shooting two other restaurant employees at Coquette—including fatally shooting Jonathan Schaffer; and Jonathan Aguilar, who has nonlife-threatening injuries—according to two Coquette employees who were witnesses to Friday’s deadly shooting who identified him. Colom has a criminal history.

UPDATE 3:15pm, Jan. 17: Per RPD, during the investigation, it was determined the parties involved knew each other, and the shooting was not a random incident.

UPDATE 3:05pm, Jan. 17: Police say Six Forks Road is reopen to regular traffic around the North Hills area. Access to North Hills Mall remains limited as the investigation continues.

UPDATE 3pm, Jan. 17: On the scene, RPD located three people with “injuries consistent with gunshot wounds”—one deceased, one with nonlife-threatening injuries, and a third (believed to be the suspect) with life-threatening injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

UPDATE 2:57pm, Jan. 17: During the investigation, Multiple public safety partners responded to assist, including North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the Raleigh Fire Department, Wake County EMS, Wake County Emergency Management and Kane Security.

UPDATE 1pm, Jan. 17: Following the incident, RPD Chief Estella Patterson confirmed the shooter entered Coquette and shot another individual, then shot himself in what appears to be a dispute between parties. A third individual standing by was reportedly struck. While there are no other suspects at this time and no additional threat to the community, the investigation is ongoing. Roads surrounding the area of the shooting remain closed and are expected to be for a while. The public is encouraged to avoid the area.

“This is a troubling event,” said Patterson during the press conference following the shooting. “Our hearts go out to the victims and all involved. I thank the RPD for providing resources and being here with us.”

10:57am, Jan. 17 (updated 1pm): Tragedy has struck in North Hills. At 10:57am Friday, Jan. 17, Raleigh Police Department responded to a shooting at the 4300 block of the Circle at North Hills Street in the Main District—centered around Coquette—resulting in one adult male dead, one adult male in critical condition and one adult male with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Multiple officers, Kane Security, Wake County EMS, and the Raleigh Fire Department quickly arrived on the scene and RPD confirmed it was not an active shooter situation. Businesses were searched for other injured parties or suspects to ensure the public’s safety, and the North Hills Main District was placed on code-red lockdown—in addition to surrounding Wake County Public Schools: Brooks Magnet Elementary School, Douglas Magnet Elementary School and Carroll Magnet Middle School. The lockdowns were lifted at 12:01pm after it was determined that there were no additional injured parties or suspects. Searched businesses were also permitted to reopen.

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