Police Thursday identified one of three people killed by a gunman during a mass shooting at a Trabuco Canyon biker bar and restaurant.
Irvine resident John Leehey, 67, was shot dead along with two others Wednesday night by a former police officer who was targeting his estranged wife, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. The other two victims who were killed were identified Friday.
Six other people, all adults, were wounded in the massacre at Cook's Corner bar. Police had previously said five were wounded. The injured were all rushed to Providence Mission Hospital.
Among the wounded is the gunman's estranged wife. She was conscious and talking, Barnes said.
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As of Thursday morning, two patients remained in critical condition. One of the most seriously injured patients, identified only as a man, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Another critical patient was shot in the jaw, according to hospital officials.
Four other patients suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were stable, said hospital Trauma Medical Director Tetsuya Takeuchi. One was released Thursday, he added.
The gunman, whom the Orange County District Attorney’s Office identified as 59-year-old John Snowling, was a sergeant with the Ventura Police Department, where he worked until his retirement in 2014. Sheriff’s deputies shot him dead after he fired upon them when they responded to the shooting, authorities said. No deputies were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
A witness told NBC4 that the shooter and his wife were going through a divorce.
According to the witness, Betty Fruichantie, her friend had filed for divorce from the gunman and was staying with friends. He was unhappy with the estrangement, which is why he targeted the woman in the shooting, Fruichantie said.
Ventura County Superior Court records show that Snowling's estranged wife filed for divorce Dec. 21. Barnes said Thursday that Snowling was upset about the impending divorce. The couple had two adult children, according to the sheriff.
Barnes said Snowling, armed with two handguns, entered the bar, went directly to his wife and opened fire, striking her once and also shooting a woman who was sharing a meal with his "soon-to-be ex-wife."
The gunman proceeded to begin "randomly" shooting at patrons, the sheriff said. Snowling went outside and continued firing at people, killing Leehey, Barnes said.
Snowling then went to his truck, where he had a third handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun, according to Barnes. Snowling acquired all his guns legally, obtaining the handguns while still a police officer and the shotgun in 2016, after he had retired, Barnes noted.
Snowling shot and killed another man who tried to confront him outside, Barnes added.
Deputies later confronted and killed Snowling after he opened fire on them, authorities said. Seven deputies shot the gunman, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.
“For goodness’ sakes, police officers are sworn to protect our communities. We trust them with our lives, we call them when we need help. But instead of helping save lives, John Snowling shot and killed strangers he never met and tried to kill one of his dearly loved ones that he obviously at one time loved dearly and deeply,” Spitzer said.
Snowling had a home in Camarillo but had been living in Ohio, from where he traveled to commit the shooting, according to Barnes. Detectives searched a search warrant at the Camarillo residence Thursday, though it was not immediately clear what, if anything, it turned up.
