Joseph Alexander Manfredi, a 27-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was shot and killed on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at a construction site in the SilverLeaf community in St. Johns County, Florida. The incident occurred shortly before 4:45 p.m. following a dispute between Manfredi and a coworker. Two other men were also wounded during the shooting. Manfredi, a devoted husband and father of two young children, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was born on October 23, 1998, and was remembered by friends and family as a hardworking man whose life revolved around providing for his loved ones.
The altercation that led to the fatal shooting reportedly stemmed from comments the suspect had made about Manfredi's wife. According to investigators, Manfredi confronted his coworker, 20-year-old Yovany Lopez Cobo. The argument escalated, and though surveillance video captured Manfredi kicking Lopez Cobo at one point, he then walked away.
It was at this moment that Lopez Cobo allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking Manfredi and two other workers who were nearby. The two other victims were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries but were expected to recover. One was shot in the thigh, and the other sustained a gunshot wound to the chest.
Following the shooting, Yovany Lopez Cobo fled the scene in a sedan. Law enforcement was able to track the vehicle using license plate reader cameras and conducted a traffic stop approximately 30 minutes later at a gas station on State Road 206. A Glock 19 9mm handgun was recovered from Lopez Cobo at the time of his arrest. He initially claimed to have acted in self-defense, stating he feared for his life after the physical altercation. However, authorities have stated that the surveillance footage contradicts this claim.
Yovany Lopez Cobo was arrested and has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 20, 2026. The tragic death of Joseph Manfredi, a man described by a friend as "doing everything right," has deeply affected his family and the Northeast Florida community, which has rallied to support his wife and two children through online fundraisers.
