Music Industry Icons Lost in San Diego Plane Crash, Leaving Community in Mourning
The quiet pre-dawn hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood were shattered by a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of at least six individuals, including Dave Shapiro, a prominent music industry figure, and Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. The tragedy unfolded around 3:45 a.m. when a Cessna 550 Citation II, a private jet carrying six passengers, plummeted into a densely populated military housing community near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The crash ignited a firestorm, engulfing homes and vehicles in flames, displacing over 100 residents, and leaving the city grappling with shock and sorrow.
The aircraft, registered to Daviator LLC, an Alaska-based company owned by Shapiro, had originated in Teterboro, New Jersey, on Wednesday night, making a fueling stop at Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing its journey to San Diego. Flight records indicate the jet was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at 3:47 a.m., but it never reached its destination. Instead, it struck power lines approximately two miles from the airport, likely exacerbating the catastrophic impact that followed. Dense fog blanketed the area, with visibility dropping to a quarter of a mile, creating treacherous conditions for the flight. San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy described the scene as apocalyptic: “Jet fuel ran down the street, setting every car on both sides ablaze. The debris field was massive, with parts of the plane scattered everywhere.”
The crash caused extensive damage, with at least 15 homes and numerous vehicles affected, many reduced to charred remnants. Flames tore through the military housing community, one of the largest of its kind, forcing the evacuation of approximately 100 residents to nearby Miller and Hancock Elementary Schools, which were closed to serve as temporary shelters. Eight people on the ground sustained minor injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation or efforts to escape, such as climbing through windows. One individual was hospitalized, but remarkably, no fatalities were reported among residents. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl called the scene “horrific,” noting that over 50 officers responded within minutes, working alongside firefighters, military police, and other agencies to evacuate families and contain the blaze.
Among the victims was Dave Shapiro, a 42-year-old music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a San Diego-based agency representing artists like Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, and Parkway Drive. Shapiro, an avid pilot with over a decade of experience and a certified flight instructor, was also the owner of Velocity Aviation and Velocity Records. It remains unclear whether he was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. Sound Talent Group issued a poignant statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by this tragedy.” Daniel Williams, 39, a beloved figure in the music scene, was also confirmed among the deceased. His former band, The Devil Wears Prada, shared a tribute on Instagram: “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” Hours before the crash, Williams had posted Instagram stories from the cockpit, captioning one image, “Hey… look at me… I’m the (co)pilot now,” and another, “Here we goooooo.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration and FBI. Investigators are examining whether the plane’s collision with power lines contributed to the crash, though the absence of a mayday call and the closure of the airport’s control tower at the time complicate early findings. The jet, a 1985 model capable of carrying six to ten passengers, likely has a flight data recorder, which authorities hope to recover to shed light on the cause. A preliminary report is expected within two weeks, with a comprehensive analysis to follow in 12 to 18 months.
The Murphy Canyon crash marks a grim milestone in a year already marred by aviation tragedies, making 2025 the deadliest for U.S. air disasters since 2001. For the tight-knit military community and the music industry, the loss is profound. Residents like Christopher Moore, who fled with his family after being awakened by a loud explosion, recounted seeing a car engulfed in flames as they escaped. Amid the chaos, acts of heroism emerged, with police rescuing three husky puppies from a burning home, transporting them to safety in a wagon. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria expressed condolences and pledged support for affected families, many of whom may be displaced for an extended period.
As authorities urge anyone finding debris or jet fuel to contact 619-531-2000, the investigation continues to unravel the circumstances of this heartbreaking event. The community mourns, and the music world reflects on the legacies of Shapiro and Williams, whose contributions resonated far beyond the stage and the skies.
