On the evening of August 23, Cook’s Corner, a renowned biker bar situated in the Trabuco Canyon area of Orange County, California, witnessed a shooting that culminated in the death of four individuals, including the shooter.
The episode began shortly after 7 pm, drawing immediate attention from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies encountered an armed male assailant wielding two shotguns. During this confrontation, the shooter, John Snowling, 59, formerly a Ventura police sergeant, was killed.
In the aftermath, it was disclosed that Snowling had four weapons with him – two pistols, a revolver and a shotgun.
Victims of the dreadful incident were identified as Tonya Clark, Glen Sprowl Jr., and John Leehey. Multiple injured individuals were promptly dispatched to a neighboring trauma unit. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, out of the wounded, five suffered from gunshots. The medical conditions vary, with two being critical.
Preliminary insights reveal that the event was precipitated by a domestic argument between the shooter and Marie Snowling, his estranged spouse. The confrontation led the shooter to come to the bar where Marie was a regular and fire upon her and her companion, with the latter dying due to her injuries. Snowling then randomly shot others, and later, the deputies.
Cook’s Corner, located a significant distance from Los Angeles, had a substantial crowd during the incident, approximately 30 to 40 patrons.