John Snowling, a former police officer from the City of Ventura, was named as the suspected shooter who killed three people and injured six others at a well-known motorcycle pub in Orange County. Keep reading to know more about the Orange county biker bar mass shooting in detail.
Who was John Snowling? What happened in Orange county biker bar?
John Snowling, a retired police officer, has been named as the person suspected of killing three people and injuring six others in a California nightclub on Wednesday night.
A battle ensued between police and Snowling, a 59-year-old ex-cop from Ventura after he fired what witnesses estimated to be over “100 rounds” at the Cook’s Corner tavern, a favourite hangout for bikers in Orange County, about 120 miles from where Snowling had previously worked.
Orange county biker bar mass shooting:
A former law enforcement officer opened fire at a well-known biker club in Southern California on Wednesday night as a throng gathered for a rock music event and spaghetti night, according to the authorities. At least four people were killed, including the shooter and six others were injured.
According to Jeff Hallock, an undersheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting took place at around 7 p.m. at Cook’s Corner, a pub located in the rural area of Trabuco Canyon in eastern Orange County.
The injured were sent to Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California. The hospital reported that two of the patients were in serious condition and that the other four were in stable condition.
According to Undersheriff Hallock, the shooting started in front of up to 40 individuals. He described the occurrence as “an absolutely tragic event.”
Several 911 calls reporting gunfire were received within minutes, he continued, and after deputies met the suspect, it was “safe to assume that they engaged the shooter.” The suspect was shot and killed after several deputies opened fire. He claimed that the shooter was killed there, and that at least one weapon had been found.
Motive Explained:
In a press conference on Thursday morning, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer identified Snowling. Todd Spitzer did not specify his motivation, but according to law enforcement officials quoted in The Los Angeles Times, he had Marie Snowling, his divorced wife, in mind. Marie Snowling was apparently shot in the lower jaw but survived, according to reports.
Records indicate that Marie requested a divorce in December. Snowling was a “crazy husband” who wasn’t handling the divorce well, according to her father, William Mosby, who spoke to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Undersheriff Hallock stated that numerous witnesses still needed to be interviewed but was unable to clarify whether the incident was connected to domestic violence as some have speculated.
Officials further stated that no firefighters or members of the police were hurt.
Officials statements:
The shooting “weighs heavily on our community and the first responders,” said Brian Fennessy, chief of the Orange County Fire Authority. “Our hearts go out to all those involved.”
Orange County supervisor Katrina Foley stated on X, “Heartbroken to hear of another senseless mass shooting, this time in our own backyard.” A plea for comment made late on Wednesday went unanswered.
In a statement published to X, Orange County state legislator Dave Min conveyed a similar message.
He said,
“I’m devastated by news of yet another mass shooting,”
“Our district is one of the safest areas in the country, and yet we too are repeatedly afflicted with the scourge of mass shootings.”
About the biker bar:
Motorcyclists traveling through the Santa Ana Mountains’ foothills have made frequent stops at the wood-paneled bar since the 1970s.
Gang members, pensioners, and law enforcement officers have all been customers. The actor and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has attended events at Cook’s Corner and once had a reception there while riding a motorcycle.
The pub, which is located on a 12-acre property, has also used as a venue for funerals, charity events, and weddings.
Pasta, salad, and garlic bread were served on Wednesday at the normal spaghetti night at the bar.
M Street, an Orange County rock band, was scheduled to perform soon after happy hour and earlier in the evening, posted a video of the stage, which included a keyboard, drums, and electric guitar.
Previous incidents in the biker bar: One person was murdered and five others were injured in a shooting at a church in Laguna Woods, California, in May 2022. The shooter was eventually taken down by the congregation.
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