ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Three victims have been identified in Trabuco Canyon mass shooting as Glen Sprowl Jr, 53, from Stanton; Tonya Clark, 49, from Scottsdale, Arizona; and John Leehey, 67, from Irvine.
The shooting took place at Cook's Corner bar in Orange County. The shooter responsible for the tragedy was retired police sergeant John Snowling.
Snowling was fatally shot by sheriff's deputies who swiftly arrived at the scene. His actions resulted six others being injured, one of whom was his estranged wife, Marie.
Glen Sprowl confronted John Snowling before getting shot
According to Sprowl's friend Shawn Ambrose, he and Sprowl often discussed their plans if they were to encounter an active shooter during their extended motorcycle road trips.
“Knowing Glen, he probably ran at him to grab him,” Ambrose told the OC Register, adding, “We talked about those scenarios. You don’t think that’s ever going to happen.”
Once Snowling had shot his estranged wife and others inside Cook’s Corner, he stepped outside and returned with a shotgun and another handgun from his truck, per witnesses.
Ambrose mentioned that Sprowl's friend, who was present at the scene, informed him that Sprowl followed Snowling outside, instructing people to return indoors and secure the door behind them.
“I’m going to take care of this,” Sprowl reportedly told the women at that time.
Authorities stated that Sprowl was shot when he approached Snowling. “It doesn’t surprise me. That bought a little time,” Ambrose said.
Glen Sprowl was a father of three
Sprowl was a father to three children - a 19-year-old, as well as a younger son and daughter who live in Arizona.
He had intentions of relocating to Arizona to be closer to them and establish a motorcycle parts company.
He was employed at a friend's environmental recycling company and referred to himself as a "contraptionist," capable of crafting or constructing anything.
Sprowl was described as an "interesting character" who held diverse jobs over the years, including working as a bouncer and traveling alongside bands.
Ambrose him as having a tough exterior but a big heart. He was the kind of friend who would readily help someone in need, even dropping everything for their sake.
Ambrose recalled a time when Sprowl rallied friends for a fundraiser to aid with his dog's surgery costs after the animal fell seriously ill a few years ago.
“He said ‘how can I help,’ no questions asked,” Ambrose recalled of Sprowl.
Ambrose, who operates a surf and screenprinting shop in Oceanside, had known Sprowl for 30 years.
They had gone on numerous lengthy motorcycle road trips together and were planning another one shortly.
Despite his appearance as a "big tough biker guy" with tattoos and a long beard, Sprowl also enjoyed wearing polo shirts and playing golf.
He even had a fondness for surfing on occasion, as shared by Ambrose.
Their most cherished moments were spent riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles along endless stretches of road, taking in the breathtaking views.
“It’s like a vacation, a road trip, but you’re in the scenery,” Ambrose said, adding, “We had a lot of plans ahead of us. You become brothers.”
Sprowl was “a bit of a rascal but he grew up well,” said Bob Herrick, his uncle. “He could pick up a piano by himself; he was a forklift,” he added.
Glen Sprowl was 'protective and heroic'
Sprowl's cousin, Chris Herrick, 39, said, “He taught me to ride a bike and took me trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.”
He added, “He was very protective and heroic; he helped shape me as a person and the music I liked.”
Herrick mentioned that he had lost contact with Sprowl after his mother died.
However, he had been thinking about him lately, especially because he still had Sprowl's mother's ashes and wanted to return them to him.
“I had hoped he was living a good life that would honor his family,” Herrick said.
He mentioned that even when he was younger, Sprowl would put himself in danger to shield others.
For instance, in Westminster, Sprowl prevented a neighbor from bothering Herrick's mother simply by using his imposing 6ft 4 inches stature.
On another occasion, Sprowl was at a Jack-in-the-Box when he was struck by a bullet during a drive-by shooting in Santa Ana.
“It could have been lethal. But he had a purpose in the world. Maybe he was meant to sacrifice himself for others," Herrick said.
