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

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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.

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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.

  • Cooks corner memorial
  • Cook's Corner Shooting
  • Cook's Corner Shooting
  • Body worn camera footage shows Orange County Sheriff's Deputies surrounding Cook's Corner gunman John Snowling after he had been fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with deputies on Aug. 23, 2023. (OCSD)
  • Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
  • Investigators scour the scene of a mass shooting in Trabuco Canyon on Aug. 24, 2023, a day after the massacre. (KTLA)
  • Cook's Corner Shooting
  • Lisa, only first name given, grieves after placing flowers near the scene of a mass shooting at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in rural Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
  • Orange County mass shooting victims Tonya Clark and John Leehey are seen in photos released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Aug. 25, 2023.
  • A motorcycle caravan attended a community gathering and prayer held in a Lake Forest church to honor the victims killed in a mass shooting at Cook’s Corner bar on Aug. 25, 2023. (KTLA)
  • Cook's Corner vigil
  • Cook's Corner reopens
  • Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
  • Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
  • Mike Bertuccini
  • Benefit concert held for victims of Cook's Corner mass shooting
  • Hundreds attended a community gathering and prayer held in a Lake Forest church to honor the victims killed in a mass shooting at Cook’s Corner bar on Aug. 25, 2023. (KTLA)
  • Hundreds attended a community gathering and prayer held in a Lake Forest church to honor the victims killed in a mass shooting at Cook’s Corner bar on Aug. 25, 2023. (KTLA)
  • A motorcycle caravan attended a community gathering and prayer held in a Lake Forest church to honor the victims killed in a mass shooting at Cook’s Corner bar on Aug. 25, 2023. (KTLA)
  • Cook's Corner Shooting
  • The popular biker bar, Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, held a candlelight vigil on August 23, 2024, marking the one year anniversary of a deadly mass shooting. (KTLA)
  • The popular biker bar, Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, held a candlelight vigil on August 23, 2024, marking the one year anniversary of a deadly mass shooting. (KTLA)
  • Cook's corner shooting

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.”

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

  • A memorial table honoring the victims of the deadly 2023 mass shooting at Cook's Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon. (KTLA)
  • The popular biker bar, Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, held a candlelight vigil on August 23, 2024, marking the one year anniversary of a deadly mass shooting. (KTLA)
  • The popular biker bar, Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, held a candlelight vigil on August 23, 2024, marking the one year anniversary of a deadly mass shooting. (KTLA)
  • The popular biker bar, Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon, held a candlelight vigil on August 23, 2024, marking the one year anniversary of a deadly mass shooting. (KTLA)
  • Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (OnScene.TV)

“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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Los Angeles, Ca

Pasadena motorist knocked unconscious in unprovoked assault after other driver flashes high beams at him

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Pasadena motorist knocked unconscious in unprovoked assault after other driver flashes high beams at him

A motorist was rendered unconscious after what authorities are calling an unprovoked attack that occurred after another driver flashed their high beams at him, authorities say.

According to the Pasadena Police Department, the victim, a 63-year-old man, was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue near Washington Boulevard when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction flashed him around 1 a.m. Saturday. 

“The victim reported that he was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue from Washington Boulevard when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound flashing its high beams at him,” a Pasadena Police Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. “The victim stated he stopped his vehicle and exited. He was then assaulted by an unknown suspect. The assault was unprovoked.” 

The attack left the man unconscious and with a three-inch deep laceration to his head, police added. Upon regaining consciousness, the man transported himself to Huntington Hospital, and it was around 1:20 a.m. when police responded there to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon and began their investigation.

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Upon arriving at the hospital, the victim told police that, due to his injuries, he was not able to provide a description of a suspect, vehicle or the weapon used, nor was he able to tell police the exact location where the assault occurred, although it was confirmed to be somewhere near Raymond Avenue and Washington Boulevard. La Pintoresca Park is located near that intersection.

No further details were immediately available.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department right away. 

Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

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Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.

She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach on June 3, 2026. (Long Beach Police Department)

“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.

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The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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