Joel Cobbs, a 23-year-old Black male from Queens, New York, was fatally shot on the afternoon of October 19, 2021. The incident occurred in the Jamaica neighborhood, where Cobbs was pursued by a group of roughly 11 men for several blocks. The chase ended when one of the individuals in the group shot Cobbs in the head outside a salon on 163rd Street near 89th Avenue.
The shooting took place in broad daylight, at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Emergency medical services transported Cobbs to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The suspects, described as Black males between the ages of 20 and 30, fled the scene on foot in different directions following the shooting. The New York Police Department later released surveillance images of the individuals they were seeking in connection with the murder. The gunman is believed to have been wearing all black clothing.
As of the latest available reports, no arrests have been made in the case, and the investigation into Joel Cobbs' death remains ongoing. The motive for the attack has not been publicly identified. Cobbs' family described him as a hardworking contractor who had plans to go back to school. His relatives have expressed their profound grief and continue to seek justice for his death.
