🚨🔎 SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SUSPECT IN FATAL TOMS RIVER WAWA SHOOTING
Police are searching for 51-year-old Douglas Cobb in connection with the fatal shooting of Bruce Gress at a Toms River Wawa on September 18. Authorities consider Cobb a fugitive and are asking the public for help locating him.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — Authorities continue searching for a 51-year-old Toms River man who has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of another Toms River resident at a Wawa on Route 37.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Douglas Cobb, also known as Douglas Green and by the nickname “Bootknock,” is wanted in connection with the September 18 shooting death of 42-year-old Bruce Gress. Cobb has not been taken into custody and is considered a fugitive.
Toms River Township Police responded to the Wawa at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue at approximately 7:20 a.m. Friday following reports of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers found Gress suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit identified Cobb as the person authorities allege was responsible for the shooting.
Cobb is facing charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and certain persons not to possess a weapon. An arrest warrant has been issued, and authorities said his information was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
Authorities say Cobb was last seen driving a black 2016 Acura MDX with New Jersey registration T93YJL.
The search remains active, with multiple law enforcement agencies assisting in the investigation. Officials are asking anyone with credible information regarding Cobb’s whereabouts to contact authorities.
📞 Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit: 732-929-2027 📞 Toms River Township Police: 732-349-0150
Authorities have asked anyone who knows Cobb’s whereabouts to encourage him to surrender peacefully.
⚠️ Cobb is accused of these offenses. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
📸 Photo Credit: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office