George Colom and Jonathan Schaffer Murder-Suicide: Coquette Brasserie executive chef named as gunman in shooting at North Hills Coquette Brasserie restaurant
Two employees of Coquette Brasserie have now named the gunman involved in Friday’s tragic shooting that claimed the life of one employee and left another injured.
The shooting occurred inside the French restaurant at 4351 The Circle at North Hills Street in Raleigh, shortly before 11 a.m.
According to eyewitness accounts, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee. Colom then shot Jonathan Aguilar, 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 confirmed that all shots were fired inside the restaurant and that the incident appeared to stem from a personal dispute. She emphasized that the public faces no ongoing threat.
Background on George Colom
Colom, listed as the executive chef at Coquette Brasserie, had his name removed from the restaurant’s website following the incident. He has a criminal history that includes:
- September 2024: Involved in a crash in Orange County, North Carolina. Colom pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident and was ordered to pay $193 in court costs.
- January 2011: Convicted in federal court for possession of a stolen firearm in New Mexico. He served three years and four months in prison for charges stemming from a 2010 incident.
After serving his sentence, Colom returned to North Carolina and pursued a career in the restaurant industry. His LinkedIn profile indicates he began working in the Wilmington area before relocating to the Raleigh-Durham region around 2017.
Prior to his incarceration, Colom reportedly attended culinary classes at Central New Mexico Community College, where he developed his skills as a chef. His social media accounts included photos of his culinary work, alongside images of firearms tagged with evidence markers from the U.S. Department of Justice.
State court records show Colom hails from Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina. His record also includes minor drug offenses.
Ongoing Investigation
The Raleigh Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Chief Patterson assured the public that there is no further threat and expressed the department’s commitment to providing clarity to the community.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Raleigh Police Department or submit tips anonymously.
This heartbreaking event has left the community shaken, as loved ones and colleagues mourn the loss of Jonathan Schaffer and hope for the recovery of Jonathan Aguilar.
