Uncertainty Surrounds Cook’s Corner Shooting Healing and Reopening Date for Band Members’ Bar

Two band members who were performing at Cook’s Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon have been discharged from the hospital and are now recovering at home. On Saturday, Dave Stretch and Ed Means, from the M Street band, expressed their gratitude for the support they have received. They shared a photo on Instagram showing them with loved ones alongside food, get-well cards, and flowers. They also mentioned their first get-together since the shooting and how it felt good to reconnect with their friends.

The shooting incident occurred on Wednesday evening at the famous biker bar on Santiago Canyon Road. The Sheriff of Orange County, Don Barnes, confirmed that the gunman, retired Ventura Police Department Sgt. John Snowling, entered the bar carrying two handguns. He specifically targeted his estranged wife, shooting her once and causing her injuries to the jaw. However, she survived.

The gunman then shot the woman who was dining with his wife, later identified as Tonya Clark from Scottsdale, Arizona. Clark managed to escape the bar but unfortunately passed away outside. Two other victims, Glen Sprowl Jr. from Stanton, and John Leehey from Irvine, were also killed. Sheriff’s deputies killed John Snowling after he had shot multiple people.

There were six other individuals who sustained injuries during the incident. As of the most recent update, two of the injured victims, Marie Snowling and an unidentified man, remained in critical condition. Marie was transferred to UCI Medical Center in Orange from Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. Witnesses reported that a male cook at the restaurant was shot in the arm.

The general manager of Cook’s Corner, Rhonda Palmeri, expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and those impacted by the shooting. She acknowledged the outpouring of support for the establishment and everyone affected by the tragedy. Palmeri also mentioned the possibility of a private gathering in the future for those impacted by the incident. However, it remains uncertain when the bar will reopen.

A prayer gathering was held at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest to mourn the victims. Attendees, including members of John Leehey’s family, came together to seek comfort and healing. The event was also live-streamed on the church’s social media platforms.

James O’Malley, who was present at Cook’s Corner with John Leehey, shared his account of the incident. He described how they both heard gunshots and saw people running outside. As they started to run, O’Malley saw his friend fall to the ground and initially thought he had simply tripped. However, it became clear that Leehey had been shot in the back and died at the scene.

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes explained that Glen Sprowl Jr. was shot when he attempted to intervene and stop the gunman outside the bar. After the initial barrage of gunshots, John Snowling retrieved additional firearms from his pickup truck and continued shooting. Seven sheriff’s deputies confronted the gunman and fired back, eventually killing him. John Snowling retired from the Ventura Police Department in 2014 and had been residing in different locations, including Camarillo, Orange County, and Ohio.

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, although it is known that John Snowling targeted his estranged wife. Marie Snowling had filed for divorce, and the case was pending. The couple has two adult children. The law enforcement shooting will be reviewed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, but there is no indication of any excessive use of force.

Cook’s Corner is a well-known biker bar that has been serving the community since the 1920s. While it is recognized as a biker hangout, it is also a gathering place for families. The bar offers a weekly Wednesday night spaghetti dinner special, which was taking place at the time of the shooting. Orange County leaders emphasize that Cook’s Corner is an important part of the community and that the incident should not tarnish its reputation.