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From Fox News: Dave Shapiro, a music executive in the heavy metal and hard rock scene, and drummer Daniel Williams were among those killed in a San Diego plane crash.
Six people, including Shapiro and Williams, were on board the plane when it crashed into a neighborhood of U.S. Navy-owned housing in San Diego early Thursday morning. There are not believed to be any survivors.
Williams, former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada, posted on his Instagram on Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro. The band has posted a tribute to Williams on their Instagram page.
“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band wrote.
A separate report by the New York Post recalls that Williams had previously survived a mass shooting in his home state of Ohio six years ago. On August 4, 2019, a gunman had opened fire inside the Ned Peppers bar in Dayton, killing 9 people and wounding 27 others. Williams had posted on X at the time that he was in the bar when the shooting happened, and was among those lucky enough to get out.
Hours before the plane crash, Williams had posted photos on his Instagram story showing the plane, both from the outside, and then again from the inside, as they boarded on the runway at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey Wednesday evening.
The flight made it all the way from New Jersey to San Diego, but then crashed into a military housing neighborhood when it hit a power line while trying to land in foggy weather around 3:45 a.m. Thursday.
It looks like Daniel Williams, former drummer for The Devil Wears Prada, was on board the plane that crashed in San Diego this morning. Absolutely heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/Roc5zx78rE
— Cody Hanlon (@CodyLNG) May 22, 2025
Just last week, Williams had announced on X, “I’m very excited to share that I’ve accepted a software engineering role at Apple. It’s been really tough to say goodbye to my friends and colleagues of nearly 8 years at GoPro, but it’s time for my next chapter. It’s time to help build the future. 🫶”
I’m very excited to share that I’ve accepted a software engineering role at Apple. It’s been really tough to say goodbye to my friends and colleagues of nearly 8 years at GoPro, but it’s time for my next chapter. It’s time to help build the future. 🫶
— Daniel Williams (@xcadaverx) May 14, 2025
View this post on Instagram
The Fox News report further explains: Shapiro had a pilot’s license and was listed as the owner of the plane that crashed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. He was among the six people killed in the crash, along with two employees, the music agency Sound Talent Group confirmed Thursday.
Shapiro was a co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a music talent agency. He also owned a flight school called Velocity Aviation and a record label, Velocity Records.
We’re heartbroken over the tragic loss of our friend and colleague Dave Shapiro. The magnitude of this loss is beyond words & overshadowed only by Shapiro’s spirit & legacy.
Extending our deepest condolences to Sound Talent Group and all of the families who lost a loved one. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/9unRqC4K9K
— KNOTFEST (@KNOTFEST) May 22, 2025
#danielwilliams #daveshapiro #adamramey #tdwp #soundtalentgroup #velocityrecords #dropoutkings #RestInPower pic.twitter.com/uSatSYX31P
— Affiant Records (@AffiantRecords) May 23, 2025
The metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada identified former drummer of the band, Daniel Williams, as one of the people killed.
Dave Shapiro was identified as the second person killed in the crash. The 42-year-old was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a music talent agency.… pic.twitter.com/oPUBs0bQdx
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 23, 2025
Rest in Peace Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, and everyone on that flight. Some of my very first shows were booked through Dave. I had a handful of shows with Daniel, always a pleasure to see him play. Gone way too soon. #RIP
— Terrance Coughlin A&R (@TerryCoughlin) May 22, 2025
Today is the worst day. This man is single-handedly the reason my hobby became a career. We all owe him so much. pic.twitter.com/UVOnUz5Z2n
— MiKE ZiEMER (@MikeZiemer) May 22, 2025
— Sean (@SPDISME) May 22, 2025
The music agency Sound Talent Group said that three of its employees, including co-founder Dave Shapiro, died on the private plane that crashed into a San Diego neighborhood.
Shapiro is listed as the owner of the plane and has a pilot’s license, according to the Federal Aviation… pic.twitter.com/6C9qGKG04p
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) May 23, 2025
San Diego plane crash victims identified as Sound Talent Group (STG) owner Dave Shapiro and former drummer of the band The Devil Wears Prada, Daniel Williams.https://t.co/x1nPobJANz pic.twitter.com/ZHVbS1yte0
— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) May 22, 2025
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