The person at the center of this case
Joel Wesley Shrum
Cold Case · Open
14 years waiting · since 2012
JOEL WESLEY SHRUM
Justice for Joel Wesley Shrum — the trail went cold in 2012, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Who were the two gunmen on the motorcycle, and are they still at large or have they been identified?
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evidence
Lead #2What specific intelligence or forensic evidence could identify the shooters and establish their direct involvement?
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contact
Lead #3Did anyone witness the attack or have information about the gunmen's identities, movements, or connections to AQAP?
On March 18, 2012, United States citizen Joel Wesley Shrum was shot and killed by two gunmen on a motorcycle while driving to work in Ta'izz, Yemen. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the murder. The FBI continues to seek information about the perpetrators and circumstances surrounding this targeted killing of an American educator and administrator.
Case
#482
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Washington D.C. Field Office
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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person
Lead #4What motivated AQAP to target Shrum specifically, and were there prior threats or security concerns?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Murder Victim Ta'izz, Yemen March 18, 2012 On March 18, 2012, United States citizen Joel Wesley Shrum was driving to his place of employment in Ta’izz, Yemen, when two gunmen armed with AK-47s approached Shrum’s vehicle on a motorcycle and fired on the vehicle. Shrum was pronounced dead at the scene.
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the murder. At the time of his death, Shrum worked at the International Training and Development Center as an administrator and English teacher.
He was living in Yemen with his wife and two young children.
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 on a motorcycle approached his vehicle and fired. Shrum was pronounced dead at the scene.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:March 18, 2012
Last Updated:June 8, 2026
Up to $5,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:March 18, 2012
Last Updated:June 8, 2026
Up to $5,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case