A grieving boyfriend, a concerned sister-in-law and a family friend are among those raising money to help victims of this week’s mass shooting at Cook’s Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon.
Tonya Clark, 49, had just moved back to Orange County from Scottsdale, Arizona and was celebrating her birthday at Cook’s Corner with her boyfriend Brian Stoner Wednesday when the gunman, identified as 59-year-old retired Ventura Police Department Sgt. John Snowling, opened fire without saying a word.
“Wednesday, August 23 was Tonya’s birthday,” Stoner’s sister, Jen Hartry, wrote on Gofundme. “She and Brian spent a special day celebrating, which ended with a birthday dinner at their favorite local spot, Cook’s Corner. They finished their dinner together, and later that evening friends were going to surprise her with a birthday cake.
“That moment never happened, as her life was tragically cut short by a gunman. A horrific and completely devastating act.’
She leaves behind a 13-year-old son, Landon Bloomfield.
Clark was one of three people killed in the shooting, which occurred around 7 p.m. Wednesday at the popular hangout, billed as one of the most famous biker bars in Southern California.
Also killed were Glen Sprowl Jr., 53, of Stanton and John Leehey, 67, of Irvine. Snowling was shot and killed by police.
Six other people were injured including Snowling’s estranged wife Marie, who filed for divorce in December after nearly 32 years of marriage and was the initial target of the shooting. The couple have two adult children.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said John Snowling entered the bar Wednesday night carrying two handguns and walked directly to his estranged wife and shot her once. Relatives said she was shot in the jaw but survived.
The gunman then shot another woman, believed to be Clark, who managed to run outside the bar, where she died, he said.
After the initial barrage of gunshots, Snowling went to a silver pickup in the bar’s parking lot and retrieved another handgun and a shotgun, then continued shooting, Barnes said.
Arriving sheriff’s deputies quickly spotted the gunman, who shot at the law-enforcement personnel, prompting them to return fire. Barnes and District Attorney Todd Spitzer said seven deputies shot at the gunman, firing at least 75 rounds.
Marie Snowling of Camarillo was being treated at UCI Medical Center in Orange and was expected to survive. An unidentified man who was shot in the chest was hospitalized in critical condition at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, while four other men suffered lesser injuries. One of those men, Tomas De La Rosa, a cook at the restaurant, was shot in an arm, witnesses said.
A friend of De La Rosa’s, Liz Paula Glidewell, also took to Gofundme to say he is recovering, but will need help to cover his medical expenses.
“His surgery on Thursday appears to be successful but he will have long road to recovery.” Glidewell wrote. “We would like to be able to help Tomas and his family out during this time. If you find it in your heart (and would) like to help him out, it would be greatly appreciated.”
His Gofundme campaign is at www.gofundme.com/f/najw9-help-our-friend-tomas-de-la-rosa.
A third Godfundme campaign was set up to help Cook’s Corner waitress Savannah Hopkins, 21, who is five months pregnant and was spared after pleading for her life.
“However, her truck was shot (at) while she had ducked in it,” her sister-in-law, Kylee Brown, wrote. “Her windows are all shattered and she has no insurance to cover the damages. We are heart broken. We were hesitant to ask for help but Savannah is 21 and 5 months pregnant and was already struggling financially.
“She is traumatized from seeing her coworkers and others … injured and scared to go back to work. At Cooks Corner she was still working 40 hours a week for her new baby. She had just got into her own studio apartment. We appreciate all help.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of her van with at least one side window riddled with bullet holes.
As of Saturday morning, the Gofundme for Hopkins, www.gofundme.com/f/help-pregnant-cooks-corner-waitress, had exceeded the $5,000 sought.
The Gofundme for Clark has a goal of $100,000 to cover her funeral expenses and help support her son.
“Tonya, a single mom, had just moved back to Orange County, from Scottsdale, and was set to start a new job the next day and was happy to be close to Saddleback Church again,” Hartry wrote. “She was so excited for what the future would bring for she and her son.
“There is a lot that is unknown, but we are trying to help cover the costs of a memorial for Tonya, and to benefit Landon and help set him up for the future. All proceeds over and above the memorial costs will be given over to Landon’s grandparent’s to ensure his benefit.”
The Gofundme for Clark is at www.gofundme.com/f/cooks-corner-victim-tonya-clark-her-son-landon.
On Friday, Saddleback Church hosted a prayer service and vigil for the victims that included a procession of motorcyclists.
“This tragedy has left many friends and family members devastated, and many more members of the community shocked and dismayed,” church pastor Andy Wood said. “This is a time we can come together and ask God for comfort and healing.”
The Ventura Police Department said Snowling retired as a sergeant in February 2014, ending a career that began in July 1986.
Barnes said Snowling — who apparently has residences in Camarillo, Orange County and Ohio — traveled from Ohio to Southern California, then made his way to Cook’s Corner, where he knew his estranged wife would be.
It was unclear how long Snowling had been in the Orange County area or if he had been following his estranged wife’s movements. But Barnes said it was clear Snowling knew she was at Cook’s Corner Wednesday night. He said that according to witnesses, Snowling walked directly up to her and shot her without saying anything.
Saddleback Church urged people struggling to cope with the tragedy to reach out to its “pastoral care team” at 949-609-8000.
“There’s a grief that our community is carrying,” Wood said. “God is able, in the midst of our grief, to comfort us in that sadness.”
Orange County officials also reminded residents that mental health support and other resources can be accessed around the clock at 855-625-4657.