By Nick Gerda, Jill Roplogle, Mariana Dale, Julia Barajas
Published August 23, 2023 8:56 PM
Police officers are seen on a blocked off road after a shooting at nearby bar "Cook's Corner" in Trabuco Canyon, California, on Aug. 23, 2023.
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Jae C. Hong
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AP
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Topline:
Authorities are investigating what may have prompted a former police sergeant to open fire in a popular Orange County bar on Wednesday, killing at least three people and injuring six others.
Key points:
O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer identified the shooter as John Snowling, a retired sergeant for the Ventura Police Department. Officials said he had three handguns and one shotgun.
Snowling’s wife, Marie Snowling, filed for divorce against him this December in a case that is still ongoing, according to the Ventura County court website. She was at the bar with a friend.
Of the six victims who were transported to the hospital, all have been stabilized and one will be released, medical officials said.
Victims: Authorities released more information about the people who were shot and killed, but remained vague on details. One of them was John Leehey, 67, of Irvine. Another was a woman eating dinner with Marie Snowling as shots rang out. The friend, who was not immediately identified, was able to escape to the roadway outside, but succumbed to her wounds. Another unidentified woman was also killed, officials said.
What's next: Authorities said the sprawling crime scene will be closed for the foreseeable future, with investigators processing the area into the night.
Authorities are investigating what may have prompted a former police sergeant to open fire in a popular Orange County bar on Wednesday, killing at least three people and injuring six others.
Authorities said the shooter was also killed within minutes of sheriff's deputies arriving at Cook’s Corner, and on Thursday, gave more details about how the incident unfolded.
What we know so far
O.C. sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting shortly after 7 p.m. at Cook’s Corner, a historic biker bar in Trabuco Canyon at 19152 Santiago Canyon Road.
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said deputies responded to 911 calls at 7:04 p.m. Two minutes later, he said the deputies arrived, and two minutes after that, confronted the shooter. At that point, Hallock said multiple "deputy-involved shootings" occurred.
Of the six victims who were transported to the hospital, all have been stabilized and one was due to be released, medical officials said.
M Street band member Brian Lynch said in a Facebook post that two fellow band members had been injured in the shooting and were treated by paramedics.
O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer identified the shooter as John Snowling, a retired sergeant for the Ventura Police Department. Officials said he had three handguns and one shotgun.
Snowling’s wife, Marie Snowling, filed for divorce against him this December in a case that is still ongoing, according to the Ventura County court website.
The sheriff's department said investigators believe John Snowling "drove from Ohio to California to target his wife over a domestic dispute."
A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told LAist there are no previous domestic violence calls or restraining orders in their files regarding Snowling. The department is the police agency for the city of Camarillo, where the couple lived.
State Sen. Dave Min, who represents that area, said in a statement that he was “devastated by news of yet another mass shooting tonight,” particularly in Orange County. Supervisor Katrina Foley also said she was "heartbroken to hear of another senseless mass shooting, this time in our own backyard.”
Law enforcement personnel stage at the scene of a mass shooting outside Cook's Corner, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Trabuco Canyon.
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Jae C. Hong
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AP
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More on the incident
Spitzer told LAist on Thursday that at some point after Snowling began shooting, he retreated to his car and retrieved additional weapons. Spitzer said Snowling appeared to have targeted some people, but "he apparently was also shooting randomly.”
Spitzer said it was still unclear whether Snowling was killed by officers or if he killed himself.
“There appears to have been a gun battle,” Spitzer said.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday afternoon, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said a deputy-involved shooting occurred, and that "we do know and do believe that it was the gunfire from those deputies that took the life of that individual."
Marie Snowling, meanwhile, “is conscious and is speaking so her status seems to be improving somewhat significantly,” Barnes added.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes addresses the media on Thursday, Aug. 24, for updates on the Cook's Corner shooting.
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Julia Barajas/LAist
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The district attorney noted that federal law allows most retired law enforcement officials to carry guns “essentially for life.” Spitzer said that following the Wednesday night shooting, he would be urging state legislators to consider an “intermittent review process” to determine whether retired officers should continue to be allowed to carry guns throughout their retirement.
“Because if somebody retires at 50 years of age or thereabout, and then they are in their 60s and there’s a change in circumstance in their life, their status, their psychological well-being or whatever, they should have to check in and somebody should be determining whether or not [they] should be allowed to continue to carry a weapon,” he added.
Snowling served as president of the Ventura police union in 2009 and was reportedly re-elected to the position that year.
The dead victims
Authorities released more information about the people who were shot and killed, but remained vague on details. Among them was John Leehey, 67, of Irvine, and Glen Sprowl Jr., 53, of Stanton.
Tonya Clark, a 49-year-old resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, was eating dinner with Marie Snowling when shots rang out. After being hit by gunfire, Clark was able to escape to the roadway outside, but succumbed to her wounds, officials said.
We stand in mourning alongside the family and friends of Tonya, John and Glen. They were tragically killed Wednesday in a shooting at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon. Please join us in wishing all who knew and loved them comfort during this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/h7Laaczaqq
John Snowling’s attorney told LAist he was horrified by the shooting, and that there was no hint of domestic violence in the divorce filings or his conversations with his client.
“This is an absolute nightmare,” Tristan teGroen said in an interview, adding that his thoughts are with the couple’s adult children.
“I’m stunned. I’m horrified,” he added. “This seemed to be a very calm divorce case.”
“There was never the prospect of domestic violence whatsoever,” teGroen added. “I never received anything from the other lawyer saying that my client was threatening or mean or doing anything that might be considered violence.”
An attorney for Snowling’s estranged wife did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What's next
Authorities said the sprawling crime scene will be closed for the foreseeable future, with investigators processing the area into the night.
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and/or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
By Christopher Weber and Amy Taxin | Associated Press
Published September 8, 2026 5:09 PM
Emergency vehicles repond to the chemical leak in LA Habra on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
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Jae C. Hong
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Associated Press
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Topline:
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Why it matters: Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a La Habra business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
The chemical: They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, Katon said.
What's next: The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, he said. The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The company, Shepard Bros., could not immediately be reached for comment.
Three company employees reported minor respiratory irritation and declined further treatment, Katon said.
The leak occurred in the city of La Habra near a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial warehouses about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Anaheim.
Keary Godinez, who works in a nearby restaurant, said she saw what appeared to be a dark yellow cloud spread across the sky. The 20-year-old said she watched students across the street board buses to evacuate, but police told her the eatery could remain open.
“It looked like pollen dust,” Godinez said, adding she didn’t detect a smell from the cloud. “It just kind of smeared in the sky and started going away.”
La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano had urged residents to shelter in place and said some streets were being evacuated.
Luis Gomez, who manages a nearby pickleball program, said earlier Tuesday he saw the cloud, called police and was told anyone within a mile radius of the location was under an evacuation order.
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.
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Christian Petersen
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Phil Jackson outside their downtown arena next year. The Lakers announced the plan Tuesday to honor Jackson, who led the Lakers to five championships and seven NBA Finals appearances during two stints totaling 11 seasons as their head coach.
The backstory: After his famed tenure leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships, Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999 and immediately began another era of major success for the 17-time NBA champion franchise. His first three teams in Los Angeles won championships behind the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers added two more titles in 2009 and 2010 led by Bryant and Pau Gasol. His Lakers also made the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2008.
What's next: The statue will be unveiled April 9 before the Lakers’ home game against Minnesota.
The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Phil Jackson outside their downtown arena next year.
The Lakers announced the plan Tuesday to honor Jackson, who led the Lakers to five championships and seven NBA Finals appearances during two stints totaling 11 seasons as their head coach.
The statue will be unveiled April 9 before the Lakers’ home game against Minnesota.
After his famed tenure leading Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to six championships, Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999 and immediately began another era of major success for the 17-time NBA champion franchise.
His first three teams in Los Angeles won championships behind the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers added two more titles in 2009 and 2010 led by Bryant and Pau Gasol. His Lakers also made the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2008.
Jackson set the Lakers franchise record for coaches with 610 victories while leading his teams to the playoffs in every year of his tenure, which ended in 2011.
“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”
Jackson will be the ninth person associated with the Lakers to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza outside their arena. He joins Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bryant, O’Neal, broadcaster Chick Hearn and former coach Pat Riley, whose statue was unveiled earlier this year.
Jackson’s 11 championships as a head coach are the most in NBA history. The North Dakota native and former New York Knicks forward is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Lucas Brady Woods
covers the weather and disasters, among other climate and science topics.
Published September 8, 2026 3:25 PM
Clouds form over Venice Beach in August. Tropical moisture from Hurricane Marie is currently causing extreme humidity in Southern California this week.
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Apu Gomes
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for much of Southern California from Wednesday morning through Thursday.
The details: This week’s combination of heat and humidity could be worse than it has been all summer. Forecasters say temperatures will peak on Wednesday. Highs could get up to the triple digits. Overnight lows will also stay elevated. They may only get down to the 70s in places, offering little relief from the heat.
The humidity: Climate experts say the humidity this week could be some of the highest on record in Southern California, even after a summer marked by repeated humid heatwaves. The moisture in the air, combined with the extreme heat, makes it increasingly difficult for the human body to cool down, especially when outdoors. It’s also driving scattered rain and thunderstorms that will continue for the next few days.
The backstory: The tropical moisture is due in large part to the leftovers of Hurricane Marie hundreds of miles away in the Pacific Ocean. On top of that, record high ocean temperatures off the Southern California coast are adding to the humidity.
Destiny Torres
covers all things SoCal, from breaking news to local government, with a focus on Orange County.
Published September 8, 2026 2:22 PM
Mari Barke, photographed at the California Policy Center in Irvine in 2024.
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Courtesy of Mari Barke
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Topline:
An O.C. Superior Court judge increased the economic penalties for Orange County Board of Education member Marilyn “Mari” Barke for failing to report millions of dollars in economic disclosure filings. She will now have to pay more than $100,000 in penalties, according to court documents.
Why it matters: Barke was elected in 2018 to the Orange County Board of Education, which oversees and approves the county’s education budget that serves around 450,000 students.
Background: In 2024, the Fair Political Practices Commission found Barke liable for failing to correctly report income, resulting in a $3,200 penalty. But a judge in July said the FPPC’s settlement didn’t fully address Barke’s actions.
What are the penalties? Barke will have to pay $101,800 in penalties, as well as attorney fees, for incorrectly filling out economic disclosure statements and for failure to correct amended statements. She will be credited the $3,200 paid to the FPPC. Barke’s lawyer did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
What changed? Orange County Superior Court Judge H. Shaina Colover handed the decision on Sept. 3. Colover said in a final statement on the decision that “substantial civil damages are warranted” to enforce the Political Reform Act and prevent future violations.
Officials say: The complaint was filed by Lynne Riddle, a retired judge. Riddle’s lawyers said in a statement to LAist that the court’s ruling is a “landmark” outcome for public trust and that the high penalty fees show how serious the offenses were. “We hope this result reminds every public official in California that transparency is not optional, and that the public has both the right to know and the tools to hold them accountable when transparency is ignored,” Riddle’s legal team said.
