The former Marine accused of threatening to kill white people apparently sought online advice about making his airsoft rifle "look as realistic as possible" and finding a pellet pistol with the "loudest blow back," posts reviewed by HNGN show.
A user of the Airsoft Society website with the name "1DayUSuffer" posted a message on one of its forums that said, "New to Airsoft, just bought my first rifle the other day, Valken ASL+ AEG, loving it so far."
"The only thing is I'd love for my rifle to look as realistic as possible, I feel like it will just enhance the overall experience of playing Airsoft!" the March 11, 2023, message said.
The same user also posted a message on April 29, 2023, that asked, "What are some of the loudest blow back c02 pistols?"
"Looking for anything that can deliver a nice healthy pop on the first couple of shots, any good recommendations out there?" the message continued.
Federal authorities in New Jersey have said Cobb, 23, of Trenton, New Jersey, used a similar online name, "1dayUsuffer," on the Soundcloud music-sharing website.
The profile for the Airsoft Society user also placed that person in Trenton.
The New Jersey U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday that there was "nothing in the complaint that would confirm" Cobb was behind the Airsoft Society posts.
Cobb's court-appointed lawyers didn't immediately return a request for comment.
Cobb was arrested Friday over allegations that he used the name "NearbyUser101" to post a lengthy social media message that said he was planning an attack on white people in which nobody would "be able to stop me from spraying them to the ground."
"The reason i specifically want to target white people is because as a black male, they will NEVER understand my struggles," he allegedly wrote on Dec. 17, 2022. "Same way I will never understand their struggles, but I don't care to. I want to erase them."
He's charged with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Cobb joined the Marines in 2023 and was stationed at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Center in Twentynine Palms, California.
On April 3, the FBI seized his iPhone and interviewed him at the base, where he allegedly provided details of his attack plan and said he still had "homicidal ideations" and felt "contempt towards those whom he perceived as privileged white people in New Jersey."
Cobb also allegedly claimed he had access to firearms, including through a relative and someone who could 3D print guns.
Cobb was discharged from the Marines the same day as his arrest and is being held without bond pending a Friday court hearing.
