By: Richard L. Smith
A NJ man was arrested Friday night for transmitting a post via the internet containing threats to kill white people, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Monday.
According to federal authorities, Mr. Joshua Cobb, 23, of Trenton, was arrested and charged by complaint with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce.
He is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah Singh in Trenton federal court.
According to court documents and statements, on December 17, 2022, Cobb used a social media application to post a message stating:
> "I want to cause mayhem on the white community. The reason I specifically want to target white people is because, as a black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles. Same way I will never understand their struggles, but I don’t care to. I want to erase them. All of them, really, but in this case, as many as I possibly can.
As of today, I have officially begun planning my attack. It is going to take place in 2023 in the state of New Jersey. I have not chosen an exact date, but I am going to be sure it is close to an important holiday to their race. I have a location in mind already, which I have frequented for the past year, and I am certain nobody there is armed to be able to stop me from spraying them to the ground. I have already acquired 2 of the 4 firearms I plan to use for my attack, and I also know my entry and exit points already after the mayhem."
Following this post, in April and May 2023, Cobb made several additional posts on another social media application, discussing his hopes of becoming a serial killer:
> "Imagine the rush you’d feel while shooting some sh*t up. Probably could get literally high off the adrenaline alone. I’d probably OD on my own adrenaline after the 10th body goes down."
> "100% someday. Just not yet, though. I want to continue training and buying more ammunition."
> "Tbh, I hope I do progress into a serial killer because I f*cking hate life, man... But one day, everyone will suffer. I promise I will make everyone feel my f*cking pain. My deep, sincere, raw, & sharp pain."
> "There is no way out for me. The only way out is bloodshed."
> "Just wait, man. Remember [my username]. [I] will leave clues when I'm done."
> "I’m just leaving evidence for whoever investigates my case."
Cobb joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2023 and began basic training in June 2023. He was stationed in California until his recent discharge.
In statements to law enforcement, Cobb admitted to writing the posts and provided detailed information on locations he had considered as possible targets for his attack, including a Jersey Strong gym and an Aldi grocery store in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
He also discussed his access to guns and idolized other mass shooters.
A lawful search of Cobb’s cell phone revealed additional notes from April and May 2023 expressing homicidal ideations:
> "It’s all a f*cking game, and you all are going to die. I currently lack the means necessary to kill as many as I intend to but one day I will have the available resources (finance) to purchase the appropriate weaponry for my killing(s)."
> "All my life I have been doubted… I've been taken as the joke… I've been f*cked around with… well, now it's my turn. I am going to kill one of you motherf*ckers. I f*cking hate humanity. All of you f*cking duck, and I don’t give a single f*ck about any of you though I may appear I do."
> "I'm ready to get to the good part of my story where I start taking you motherf*ckers out and killing you all… My rampage will soon happen… I plan to now continue accumulating the necessary equipment needed to execute. Once all equipment is in, time will then tell. You will all die."
> "I hate all of this sh*t, and I feel like my only way out of the pain and suffering is by exploding. So I await… I await that moment so I can make those moments final. For whomever… myself or a victim."
Cobb’s phone also contained notes on how to bring guns into New Jersey.
The charge of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
