San Diego Plane Crash Claims Music Exec Dave Shapiro, Drummer Daniel Williams

A tragic plane crash in San Diego claimed the lives of six people, including music industry titan Dave Shapiro and drummer Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada. The Cessna 550 Citation jet, piloted by Shapiro, plummeted into a Navy-owned housing neighborhood early Thursday, sparking fires that engulfed homes and vehicles. No survivors were reported.

Shapiro, a revered figure in heavy metal and hard rock, co-founded Sound Talent Group, representing bands like Sum 41 and Pierce The Veil. His passion for independent artists earned him a spot on Billboard’s 2012 '30 Under 30' list. Tributes flooded in, with Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley praising Shapiro’s mentorship during tough times, saying, 'His guidance was a lifeline for us.'

Williams, known for his electrifying performances, was mourned by his bandmates: 'No words. We owe you everything.' The crash, which occurred around 3:45 a.m., left eight residents injured but none fatally. Jet fuel spilled through the streets, creating a 'horrific' scene, according to San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.

Shapiro’s love for aviation matched his music career. He owned Velocity Aviation, a flight school in San Diego and Alaska. The flight, originating in New Jersey with a stop in Wichita, was headed to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the cause of this devastating accident.