Community honors victims one year after deadly mass shooting at Cook's Corner bar

A vigil was held Friday night marking one year after a deadly mass shooting took place at Cook’s Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon.

Three people were killed and six others were wounded when retired Ventura Police Sgt. John Snowling opened fire inside and outside the bar on Aug. 23, 2023.

Snowling, who authorities said went to the bar to target his estranged wife, died in a gunbattle with Orange County sheriff’s deputies. His wife was wounded but survived.

Body cam footage released by the Sheriff’s Department showed the moments leading up to the deadly shootout with Snowling, including emergency dispatch audio from 911 calls reporting the sounds of gunshots and the chaos of people fleeing the bar. 

Security camera footage captured Snowling opening fire on a crowd of unsuspecting people, running after them and firing from two pistols he carried simultaneously.

Following the shooting, a memorial to the victims, 53-year-old Glen Sprowl of Stanton, 49-year-old Tonya Clark of Scottsdale and 67-year-old John Leehee of Irvine, sat outside the bar.

Community members gathered at the popular bar and restaurant on Friday night to mark one year since the deadly shooting. Many patrons who witnessed the terrifying scenes still remember the fear they felt.

Dave Stretch was playing with his M Street rock cover band at the bar when the gunman opened fire.

“It was the reaction of the room that finally made me think, ‘Oh my gosh. This is real,'” he said.

Stretch was shot on his lower right side near his hip and said it felt like being struck hard with a baseball bat.

“I didn’t see [Snowling] turn around and take a couple of shots at the band,” Stretch said of the frantic moment. “The guitar player was hit and I was hit.”

Cook’s Corner now has a memorial window and a special memorial table to honor the victims. 

“Just the amount of pain and suffering this one individual could cause at such a beautiful place is disgusting,” said Rhonda Palmeri, the bar’s general manager.

“It’s one of those things that makes you say, ‘Man, everybody’s full of life one minute and then you hit this terrible event,’” said Mark Johnson, a band member and witness. “It just reminds you how fast life can change.”

In 2026, Cook’s Corner will celebrate 100 years in business. Many patrons told KTLA the bar’s endurance speaks to the immense connection and resilience of the community and patrons who feel more like family. 

A candlelight vigil and prayer service will be held at the bar on Friday night.

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