( NYPost )
Three people were killed and five others were wounded when a gunman — believed to be a retired cop — opened fire inside a popular biker bar in Orange County, California, Wednesday night, according to authorities and reports.
The suspect also died after he was shot by deputies who responded to the carnage at Cook’s Corner, a Lake Forest restaurant on Santiago Canyon Road in Trabuco Canyon, according to KCAL News.
It’s unclear if the gunman was killed by sheriff’s deputies’ bullets or a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The mayhem began shortly after 7 p.m. as a domestic dispute between a retired sergeant from the Ventura Police Department and his wife inside the bar, sources told the news outlet.
He allegedly shot his wife dead, the local outlet reported.
Another seven people, including the cook, were shot as well, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the station.
Authorities have not identified the shooter, though KCAL reported, citing sources, that the retired sergeant who had 30 years with Ventura PD was believed to be the sole shooter.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said it is working to confirm whether the gunman was in fact a retired law enforcement officer.
Four people, including the shooter and his wife, were declared dead on scene, the office and KCAL said.
Six people, including five with gunshot wounds, were hospitalized, authorities said.
Two of them were critically injured, while the other four were listed in stable condition.
Deputies shot the gunman outside the bar as he was heading to his truck, apparently to reload, according to a witness.
Another witness, whose friend was shot in the back as they ran from the gunfire and is believed to be among the dead, told KCAL that they first heard five to six shots from inside the bar and then a pause followed by a barrage of additional gunshots.
He told the station he initially thought his friend had tripped.
He said he hid in the bar’s kitchen with a chef who was shot in the arm.
No deputies were injured during the shooting.
Investigators recovered one firearm from the scene.
Locals said the historic bar, which opened in 1926, was likely packed at the time of the gunfire as patrons came for its unlimited spaghetti night and a live band.
Undersheriff Jeff Hallock described the watering hole as “a beloved part” of the community.
FBI agents are helping with the investigation.
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