Who is John Snowling's wife? Ex cop targeted estranged wife in Cook's Corner mass shooting that left 3 dead
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: The suspect in a deadly shooting at a popular southern California biker bar Wednesday night has been identified as a retired police sergeant.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, John Snowling, 59, travelled from Ohio to California to confront his estranged wife, Marie, at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon.
How did John Snowling confront his wife Marie?
When he arrived, he walked up to her and shot her once, according to Sheriff Don Barnes. He then began firing random shots throughout the establishment before fleeing to the parking lot.
Deputies arrived at Cook's Corner two minutes after the shooting was reported at 7:04 pm and made contact with Snowling in the upper parking lot area, where he was shot and killed after firing multiple rounds at them, one of which passed through the windshield of a patrol car.
Who all were killed by John Snowling?
Three adults, including an unidentified woman who was eating with Marie, were killed, and six adults were injured. According to Barnes, Marie survived the shooting and was conscious and speaking on Thursday morning. There were no injuries among the deputies.
Snowling, who retired from the Ventura Police Department in California after nearly 28 years, had been married to Marie for more than 30 years before filing for divorce in December 2022, according to The Associated Press. They are the parents of two adult children, as reported by Foxnews.
How was John Snowling dealing with the divorce?
His divorce attorney, Tristan te Groen, told The Associated Press that there was "no murmur of domestic violence, threats, or anything like that from the other attorney" during the ongoing divorce proceedings, and a mandatory settlement conference was set for November.
According to Marie's father, William Mosby, Snowling was unable to "deal with the divorce."
Where did John Snowling live?
Snowling had been living on a 7-acre property in Ohio with his dog, but he still had a home in Camarillo, Ventura County, according to teGroen. It wasn't clear when he got to California.
Marie's attorney, Kenneth Henjum, told The Associated Press that the family was in shock and asked for privacy.
On Wednesday, Cook's Corner hosted its popular weekly spaghetti night, with cover band M Street providing entertainment. The band was performing when Snowling walked in and began shooting, according to keyboardist Mark Johnson. He claimed he and his wife, Debbie, a singer, hid behind a speaker.
Mark continued, "Once he started shooting, it was very indiscriminate," adding that after Snowling left the building, he and about 30 other people locked the doors to the bar and dialed 911.
The Johnsons were not hurt, but two of the three remaining band members were. Both are expected to make it.
How many police personnel responded at Cook's Corner?
According to a news release from the sheriff's office, more than 200 personnel responded to the scene, including 71 patrol vehicles, 100 deputies, and 40 investigators.
Debbie said, "I have never been so happy to see dozens of police cars heading my way, We were fish in a very small barrel."
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Snowling's four firearms—three handguns and a shotgun—were found at the scene. According to Barnes, all four were legally purchased.
Despite claiming to be the oldest motorcycle bar in southern California, Cook's Corner attracts a wide range of patrons, including non-bikers and families with young children.