Raleigh, NC — A tragic incident unfolded at Coquette, a well-known restaurant in North Hills, when an argument between two men escalated into violence, leaving one dead and another critically injured. The shootout occurred on Friday, shaking the local community.
Jonathan Aguilar, a survivor and employee at Coquette, recounted the horrifying moments when gunfire erupted during what began as a routine staff meeting. According to Aguilar, the staff was gathered to celebrate a bartender’s birthday with cake just before their shift started. “One minute we were celebrating, and the next, I was shot,” Aguilar revealed, still in disbelief over the rapid shift from festivity to fear.
The alleged shooter, identified as George Colom, was the executive chef of the restaurant. Reports from the police indicate that after firing at the victims, Colom turned the weapon on himself. He is presently battling life-threatening injuries in a local hospital.
Aguilar, grappling with the shock and his injuries, including a bullet still lodged in his hand, remembered his coworker, Jonathan Schaffer, who did not survive the attack. The loss of Schaffer, as described by Aguilar, has left a void in the Coquette family, where he was both a colleague and a friend to many.
The motive behind this violent act remains a mystery. Aguilar mentioned there was no apparent animosity towards the victim, emphasizing the senselessness of the act. “No one had any reason to dislike him, at least not that anyone knew of,” he said, trying to make sense of the violence.
Also caught in the unrest was Heather Young, another server at the restaurant, who expressed her shock and lack of understanding about Colom’s actions. “I didn’t know him well, but he never seemed like someone who could do something like this,” Young commented, reflecting a common disbelief among the staff.
Earlier in the day, the incident commanded a significant police presence at North Hills, with authorities quickly securing the scene as captured by overhead news footage. The police confirmed the shooting stemmed from a dispute between Colom and Schaffer, who were known to each other, though the specifics of their argument remain under investigation.
This incident has cast a shadow over the North Hills community, known for its vibrant atmosphere and bustling social scene. As the investigation continues, residents and staff are left to contend with the trauma of the event, hoping for answers and healing in the aftermath of an ordinary day that turned tragic in mere moments.