Joseph Manfredi, a 27-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has been identified as the victim in a tragic triple shooting that took place in the SilverLeaf area of St. Johns County, Florida.
The incident, which unfolded last week, has left the community in mourning. According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Manfredi lost his life following a dispute at a local construction site within the SilverLeaf community.
Among those touched by the tragedy is Manfredi’s friend, Korey Shaffer. On Wednesday afternoon, Shaffer was at home when the sound of sirens filled the air.
“I was on a call with a team member when my wife came in and alerted me to the commotion happening nearby,” Shaffer recounted.
It wasn’t until the following day that Shaffer discovered the heartbreaking news that the incident had claimed the life of his friend.
“It’s a very surreal experience,” Shaffer expressed. “I don’t think the reality of it has fully sunk in yet.”
According to the arrest report, 20-year-old Yovany Lopez Cobo got into an argument with someone whose name is redacted. Cobo fired several rounds at the victim, who has since been identified as Manfredi.
Cobo drove away from the scene, but he was caught roughly 30 minutes south off of I-95.
The arrest report states Cobo initially told deputies someone, whose name is redacted, attempted to punch him and kicked him, which made him fear for his life and fire several rounds; however, the arrest report states surveillance video captured the argument between Cobo and another worker. A redacted name kicked Cobo and stepped away. Cobo then took out a gun and shot that person several times.
Two other people on scene were also hit by the gunfire. During interviews with investigators, the arrest report states the victims said the were trying to intervene. One person was shot in the thigh and the other was shot in the chest.
Shaffer said he is still trying to process what happened to his friend.
“I hate the fact that he’s not here,” Shaffer said.
Shaffer said he met Manfredi in 2015, right around the time Manfredi was entering the U.S. Marine Corps. The two bonded over the Marines and stayed in touch. Shaffer said Manfredi even worked for him at his organization, Til Valhalla Project.
“He was somebody who I trained in the gym. He was somebody who I welcomed into my company when he was fresh out of the Marine Corps. So, he was actually a brief employee of mine, while he was looking for work, and then just kind of fell into a normal brotherhood and friendship,” Shaffer explained.
Manfredi leaves behind a wife and two kids. A GoFundMe has been set up on their behalf.
Shaffer told First Coast News he wants Manfredi to be remembered for his smile and for being a good man.
“He was doing everything right. Served his nation, got out, built a beautiful family, had a great job, and a great smile and a positive attitude. It’s like, man, like that’s it. That’s what you hope for,” Shaffer said.
Cobo 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 two other people who were shot during this incident are expected to recover.
