The retired police sergeant who opened fire during a lively Wednesday night at a popular Southern California biker bar had traveled from Ohio to confront his estranged wife, shooting her in the face before turning his pistol on the crowd, according to authorities.
John Snowling shot and murdered three people, including his wife's dining companion and a man who approached him while he was retrieving additional firearms from his truck, and wounded six others, according to Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, as per the Daily News.
Retired Police Officer's Rampage at California Biker Bar Leaves Three Dead
As a cover band entertained visitors at the bar's weekly spaghetti night, the shooting occurred. Authorities reported that Snowling entered the establishment, approached Marie Snowling, and shot her without uttering a word.
Some consumers froze and others fled as bullets flew inside the bar, before Snowling exited to the parking lot and continued firing, witnesses and authorities reported. M Street band keyboardist Mark Johnson and his wife, singer Debbie Johnson, hid behind a speaker when the gunfire began.
Mark Johnson remarked, "Once he began firing, he did so without discrimination."
Snowling was a 59-year-old retired police sergeant from the Ventura Police Department in Southern California. Marie Snowling, his wife, had applied for divorce in December 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. In November, a mandatory settlement conference was scheduled to be held in the ongoing case.
They have two adult offspring from their marriage of over three decades. According to John Snowling's divorce attorney, Tristan teGroen, he traveled from Ohio, where he lived on a 7-acre property with his dog, where he was reported to have left.
It is unknown when he arrived in Southern California, where he continues to own property in Camarillo. According to teGroen, the other attorney made no allegations of domestic violence, threats, or anything similar.
John Snowling utilized two firearms at the onset of the firing before retrieving two more from his truck. Barnes stated that all four firearms, three handguns and one shotgun, were lawfully acquired.
Authorities identified one of the deceased as John Leehey, 67, from Irvine, California. The other two were unidentified, including the woman who dined with Marie Snowling. Barnes stated that after being shot, the woman was able to depart the bar and reach the road before passing away.
Each of the nine victims was an adult. On Thursday, Marie Snowling remained hospitalized despite being conscious and able to communicate, according to Barnes, Syracuse reported.
Suspect Had an Awful Divorce
Her father, William Mosby of Lake Forest, told The Orange County Register that John Snowling was unable to handle the divorce. Marie Snowling's attorney, Kenneth H.J. Henjum, stated via email that her family was in disbelief and requesting privacy.
From 1986 to 2014, John Snowling served with the Ventura, California, police department, which is located north of Los Angeles. Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler issued a statement conveying his condolences to the victims' families, the survivors, and the responding deputies.
Cook's Corner has long been a gathering spot for motorcyclists to enjoy bands, open-mic evenings, or a cold beer after a long ride. It claims to be the oldest motorcycle pub in Southern California and is located at the intersection of two scenic highways in a region of scrubby hills and bike trails. It attracts everyone, from motorcycle riders on choppers to devoted cyclists in Lycra and young families, according to Independent.
