Mercer Man Who Threatened To Kill White People Pleads Guilty: Feds

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A 24-year-old Mercer County man admitted to posting a social media message threatening to kill white people by shooting them, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said Monday.

Joshua Cobb, 24, of Trenton pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.

According to court documents on Dec. 17, 2022, Cobb used a social media application to post a message, saying he wanted 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.”

In his post, Cobb detailed the place where he planned the attack. He said although he didn’t know the exact date, he was sure it was going to be close to an important holiday. Cobb said he visited the location and had acquired firearms that he planned to use.

“White people are going to feel my pain in 2023. I will be certain I send as many as I possible can to the deepest pits of hell. I am going to wipe those ugly smiles completely off their faces. I dream of a day of pure evil on them. I plan to allow every evil spirit to work entirely through me and kill as many as i can. Some will get extra rounds through their head,” Cobb wrote.

In subsequent messages, Cobb said he would kill himself after committing the crime.

“White men and women in New Jersey, get ready. You are going to feel my pain very fucking soon. I put that on my life. From here on out I don't want to talk, my rounds are going to, after they exit the back of all your heads. Get ready New Jersey. The devil is coming,” Cobb wrote, according to court documents.

During an interview with law enforcement, Cobb admitted to writing the posts and provided detailed information on locations he had considered as possible targets for his attack.

They included a Jersey Strong gym and an Aldi grocery store in Robbinsville. Cobb also discussed with authorities his access to guns and idolized other mass shooters.

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, authorities said.

Transmitting a threat in interstate commerce carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2025.

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