The Toms River, New Jersey, community is mourning the death of Bruce Gress, 42, who was fatally shot at a Wawa convenience store on Route 37 on Friday, September 18, 2026.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Toms River Township police responded to the Wawa at the intersection of Route 37 and Garfield Avenue at approximately 7:20 a.m. after receiving a report of a shooting. Officers arrived and found Gress suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Bruce Gress |
| Age | 42 |
| Residence | Toms River, New Jersey |
| Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Time | Approximately 7:20 a.m. |
| Location | Wawa at Route 37 and Garfield Avenue |
| Incident | Fatal shooting |
| Injury | Gunshot wound to the head |
| Hospital | Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune |
| Suspect | Douglas Cobb, 51 |
| Charges | Murder and weapons offenses |
| Suspect Status | Fugitive; arrest warrant issued |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
Emergency medical personnel transported Gress to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities later identified Douglas Cobb, 51, of Toms River, as the person allegedly responsible for the shooting. Prosecutors said Cobb was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and being a certain person prohibited from possessing a weapon.
As of September 19, Cobb had not been taken into custody and was considered a fugitive. Authorities said an arrest warrant had been issued and his information entered into the National Crime Information Center database. Investigators said he was also known as Douglas Green and used the nickname “Bootknock.”
Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the shooting. Any additional claims about what led to the confrontation should therefore be treated as unconfirmed unless released by investigators.
Bruce Gress’s death has left his family, friends and members of the Toms River community grieving a life lost in a sudden act of violence.
Funeral and memorial arrangements were not available in the latest verified reports and will be announced by the family when released.