09/19/2026
TOMS RIVER MAN WANTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 18, 2026, Douglas Cobb, 51, of Toms River, was charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, all in connection with the death of Bruce Gress, 42, of Toms River, on September 18, 2026, in Toms River.
On September 18, 2026, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the Wawa convenience store located at the corner of Route 37 and Garfield Avenue for a report of a victim having sustained a gunshot wound. Responding Officers discovered a male, later identified as Bruce Gress, with a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene; Mr. Gress was subsequently transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced deceased.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, has identified Cobb as the individual responsible for shooting and killing Mr. Gress.
Cobb has not yet been taken into custody and is considered a fugitive from justice. As such, a warrant for his arrest has been issued and his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
“Great teamwork has been exhibited by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “Our focus now is to locate Douglas Cobb and bring him into custody. Cobb is also known as Douglas Green and his nickname is ‘Bootknock.’ He was last seen driving a black 2016 Acura MDX, New Jersey Registration T93YJL. We ask anyone that knows Cobb to advise him to turn himself in peacefully. If anyone has credible information concerning the whereabouts of Cobb, please contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 732-929-2027, or the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department, Freehold Borough Police Department, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and United States Marshals Service, for their combined, collective, and continuing efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
