Mass Shooting at Popular Orange County Biker Bar Leaves 4 Dead, 6 Injured, Gunman Killed

TRABUCO CANYON, CA, Aug. 24 (KNN) — A gunman killed four people and six were taken to hospitals after a shooting Wednesday night at a landmark biker bar in Trabuco Canyon, according to the Orange County sheriff.

The gunman was also killed, the Sheriff’s Department posted on social media.

Sheriff’s officials received a 911 call at 7:04 p.m. about the shooting at the Cook’s Corner bar on the 19100 block of Santiago Canyon Road.

The first deputies arrived within two minutes. At 7:08 p.m., deputies found a man with a gun inside the bar, and at least one deputy opened fire, said Sgt. Frank Gonzalez, the public information officer for the Sheriff’s Department.

Six people were taken to hospitals, with five suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of those shot were listed in critical condition at a Mission Viejo hospital, according to a law enforcement source.

“Our condolences go out to all the families that were affected,” Gonzalez said at a news conference late Wednesday night.

Authorities did not provide details about the identities of the shooting victims or the gunman.

Two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunman, retired from the Ventura Police Department, was targeting his estranged wife. It was unclear whether the shooter followed her to the location before opening fire on the crowd, they said.

A longtime motorcycle hangout, Cook’s Corner sits at the juncture of El Toro, Santiago Canyon and Live Oak Canyon roads, near O’Neill Regional Park.

Jonathan, a resident who lives near Cook’s Corner bar and restaurant, spoke to Key News Network on camera and stated he and his mother were in their backyard when they heard gunshots. He said he grew up in the area and has been to the location of the shooting many times.

Jonathan said it has a good atmosphere; very lively with families and different bikers. On spaghetti and taco nights, entire families including children are at the location. He said it’s usually a pretty good place.

“It’s a huge shock,” said Jonathan. “I never expected anything like this.”

Randy Dominguez, Video Journalist / KNN