Meet John Snowling, the Cook’s Corner mass shooter. He reportedly killed his ex-wife and three others in the shoot-out. So who was his ex-wife? Who are his parents? What job did he have? Was he on Facebook?
Here is what we currently know about John.
Meet John Snowling, The Cook’s Corner Mass Shooter
The Cook’s Corner mass shooter, identified as John Snowling, opened fire at a Trabuco Canyon vintage motorcycle pub on Wednesday night, killing four people and injuring six more. Cook’s Corner is a well-known and enduring hangout for the Southern California biker scene. On weeknights and weekends, a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts congregate there for live music, open mic nights, or just a refreshing drink after a long ride.
One of the six people shot by gunfire at Cook’s Corner tavern on Wednesday night while dining with another person is John’s estranged wife; three other people are dead.
Local TV station KCAL News reports that the incident began with a domestic dispute between the gunman and his wife.
“For goodness sakes, police officers are sworn to protect our communities,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “But instead of helping save lives John Snowling shot and killed people he never met.”
According to representatives of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, John owned two homes: one in Ohio and the other in Camarillo. He may have come from Ohio in order to discuss the pending divorce proceedings with his estranged wife.
John allegedly had two weapons in his possession on Wednesday night and fired his first shot at his estranged wife and her dining companion. He then began firing at customers indiscriminately, which led to an exchange of gunfire with deputies outside, where he was ultimately shot and killed.
John Snowling Ex-Wife
John Snowling was reportedly having a hard time going through a divorce with his ex-wife Marie Snowling. NBC News reported that John was “locked in lengthy divorce proceedings with his estranged wife, whom he wounded in the shooting.”
John’s wife reportedly filed for divorce in December 2022, but the process was still in progress, according to NBC News.
Marie posted a picture of John Snowling with children on Facebook and added that he was now retired. According to the Orange County Register, John and Marie Snowling have been married for 22 years and have two grown children, and their son is named Noah.
One of Marie Snowling’s friends described John as “very, very controlling,” and another dubbed him a “crazy husband.”
“She said he was very, very controlling and she finally got the strength to leave him and she wasn’t sure what to do,” her friend C. Cahill told the Register. “She said her kids were very supportive.”
Marie was born in December 1961 which makes her 61 years of age. William Mosby, a Lake Forestman heard that Marie was murdered as he walked with a cane to the Emergency Room at Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. William said that while Marie isn’t his biological daughter, he sees her “as a daughter and very dear friend.”
He identified himself to hospital staff as Snowling’s father and said he was told that Marie Snowling had been brought in alive and was taken to UCI Medical Center. “I’m extremely relieved, what I heard was the worst.”
William described, “He was a crazy husband, who couldn’t deal with the divorce.” Wednesday night, as she did every week, Marie was going to the weekly spaghetti feast at Cook’s Corner, according to William. Soon after she went, according to William, he heard police cars scurrying by his yard in the direction of Trabuco Canyon.
Bar patron Betty Fruichantie told NBC News that “she and the suspected shooter’s wife didn’t initially move when the shots were fired.” The Orange County Sheriff confirmed in a tweet, “the suspect of the Trabuco Canyon shooting is confirmed as John Snowling, 59. Despite misinformation, his wife was injured in the shooting and is not deceased. We will provide additional information at the press briefing this afternoon.”
John Snowling Age
John Snowling was 59 as of Aug 2023. His birth year is 1964.
Who Are John Snowling Parents?
The Cook’s Corner mass shooter John Snowling was born to the late George Snowling and Melba Ruth Snowling. His parents married on 24 August 1951 and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2001, which was likely their last anniversary together. Thelma died before her husband George.
George passed away on 20 January 2020 due to kidney failure. He was born on March 23, 1931, in Quincy, MA to William George and Anna Snowling.
George enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, according to his obituary, and proudly served overseas on board the U.S.S. Currituck for 2 and a half years. He began his career in the electronics industry in 1965 with the Raytheon Company. He moved to Santa Barbara, California, in 1973, where he worked for 35 years before retiring.
After retiring, he spent more than a decade serving his country once more as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Together George and Melba shared eight children. John’s siblings are named Melba Diane Larsen, Grass Valley, California; Gail Montagna (deceased), Moorpark, California; William George Snowling (wife Lotta), Quincy, Massachusetts; Teresa Van Son (deceased) (husband Carl), Grass Valley, California; Michael Snowling, Camarillo, California; James Snowling (deceased) (wife Anita), Lompoc, California; and Steven Snowling (deceased), San Francisco, California.
John Snowling Job
John Snowling, though now retired, according to the Orange County Register, over the years “was a veteran cop reaching out to the homeless, a union boss, and a private investigator.”
He served at the Ventura Police Department from July 1986 through February 2014 and retired nearly a decade ago. He also ran the Ventura Police Officers Assn. for years.
Although the company claimed it was only on one case, the newspaper claimed he worked for a local firm. According to the publication, Snowling assisted homeless persons in finding housing through a “restorative policing” program.
Furthermore, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department stated in a press release, “We mourn with the Trabuco Canyon community after tonight’s tragic shooting at Cook’s Corner. Our deputies responded to reports of a shooting a little after 7 p.m. and quickly arrived. We believe deputies engaged the suspect and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
They added: “Four people were found deceased at the scene, including the suspect, and six were taken to the hospital. Our investigators continue to process the scene and we will be working through the night. We are grateful to our partners at the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County DA’s Office, and our federal partners.”
At the time of his retirement, he was allegedly going to be paid a sum of $129,000.
John has a LinkedIn but it states no details regarding his career.
Is John Snowling On Facebook?
No, John Snowling doesn’t appear to be on Facebook.
Related FAQs
-
When Is John Snowling Birthday?
John Snowling celebrates his birthday in January.
-
Where Is John Snowling From?
John Snowling hailed from Camarillo, California.
