As extra details about the mass capturing at Cook dinner’s Nook biker bar in Orange County Wednesday evening got here out, it turned evident that the capturing — during which three individuals had been killed and one other six injured — was carried out by former Ventura Police Division (VPD) Sergeant John Snowling.
However Snowling, who labored for the VPD from 1986 to 2014, had roots right here in Santa Barbara county, and began his profession in legislation enforcement shortly after graduating from Dos Pueblos Excessive Faculty and becoming a member of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Division as a reserve officer in 1982. Earlier than then, he went by means of the Sheriff’s Explorer Program for younger adults.
Snowling’s household moved from Quincy, Massachusetts, to Goleta within the early 70’s when his father, who labored for Raytheon, was transferred to California. Based on Dos Pueblos Excessive Faculty data, he attended from 1979 to 1982, and upon commencement he enlisted with the Sheriff’s Workplace. 4 years later he began with the VPD, finally retiring as a sergeant 9 years in the past in 2014.
Based on a Los Angeles Occasions report, Snowling entered Cook dinner’s Nook, a preferred biker hangout in Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon, round 7 p.m. Wednesday in an obvious focused assault on his ex-wife, Marie, who had moved from their Camarillo house to Orange County after submitting for divorce in December 2022.
Snowling, who had reportedly moved to Ohio following the divorce, walked into the bar armed with 4 weapons — two pistols, a revolver and a shotgun — immediately as much as his ex-wife and a good friend with whom she was eating and started firing. His ex-wife was hit as soon as and wounded, however survived, whereas the opposite girl later died from her accidents.
Then, in accordance with the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace, Snowling shot and killed one other man who confronted him within the car parking zone. When deputies arrived on the scene, Snowling engaged them with gunfire and was shot and killed on scene.
The three victims killed within the capturing had been recognized Friday as Tonya Clark, 49, of Scottsdale, Arizona; John Leehey, 67, of Irvine; and Glen Sprowl Jr., 53, of Stanton. Two injured people had been nonetheless listed in important situation as of Friday.
The incident continues to be below investigation, however authorities imagine Snowling traveled from Ohio to California shortly earlier than the capturing. Whereas he had moved to Ohio inside the previous yr, he nonetheless owned his house in Camarillo, the place police performed a search warrant Thursday.
Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler issued an announcement following the capturing saying: “Our hearts weigh heavy with the distressing incident at Cook dinner’s Nook. Our deepest condolences are with the households of the victims, the survivors, and the Orange County deputies who swiftly responded to the scene. This incident deeply impacts us all.”
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Workplace didn’t reply to requests for remark in time for publication.
It is a growing story. Examine again for added particulars as they turn into obtainable.
