The person at the center of this case
Joel Wesley Shrum
Cold Case · Open
JOEL WESLEY SHRUM
United States citizen Joel Wesley Shrum was murdered on March 18, 2012, in Ta'izz, Yemen, while driving to his workplace. Two gunmen on a motorcycle armed with AK-47s fired on his vehicle. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Shrum worked as an administrator and English teacher at the International Training and Development Center.
Ta'izz, Yemen
🏛️ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Washington D.C. Field Office
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Case Summary
United States citizen Joel Wesley Shrum was murdered on March 18, 2012, in Ta'izz, Yemen, while driving to his workplace. Two gunmen on a motorcycle armed with AK-47s fired on his vehicle. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Shrum worked as an administrator and English teacher at the International Training and Development Center.
Timeline of Events
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2012-03-18
Murder of Joel Wesley Shrum
Joel Wesley Shrum was driving to his place of employment in Ta'izz, Yemen, when two gunmen armed with AK-47s approached his vehicle on a motorcycle and fired on it. Shrum was pronounced dead at the scene.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Points of Interest / Key Leads
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suspect
Lead #1Two gunmen armed with AK-47s on a motorcycle
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suspect
Lead #2Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility
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evidence
Lead #3AK-47 firearms used in the attack
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vehicle
Lead #4Shrum's vehicle attacked by gunfire
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person
Lead #5Shrum was living in Yemen with his wife and two young children
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Case Information
Case Type:
Cold Case
Status:
Open
Case Number:482
Started:March 18, 2012
Last Updated:April 26, 2026
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