Dave Shapiro, 42, a renowned music agent behind some of rock’s biggest acts, died in a devastating plane crash early Thursday morning in San Diego. He was on board a 1985 Cessna Citation II jet, which went down around 3:45 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood. The aircraft, owned by Shapiro through his company Daviation LLC, had been en route from New Jersey, with a fuel stop in Kansas, to San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
All six people aboard the aircraft were killed, including Shapiro and two employees of Sound Talent Group (STG), the company he co-founded. Their names have not yet been released pending family notification.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” Sound Talent Group said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time,” the company told Billboard.
Who was Dave Shapiro?
Shapiro was no ordinary agent. In 2018, he co-founded Sound Talent Group with partners Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. The company became a key force in rock and alternative music, representing artists like Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Vanessa Carlton, Silverstein, Parkway Drive and Hanson.
He previously worked at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency, earning respect across the music business.
Beyond talent management, Shapiro wore many hats. He founded the indie label Velocity Records, supporting bands like Thursday, Concrete Castles and Craig Owens. And he was also a seasoned pilot with over 15 years of flying experience.
His aviation business, Velocity Aviation, offered flight instruction. His website captured his passion for flight:
“From BASE jumping to aerobatic flying, helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky.”
Also Read: San Diego plane crash kills music agent Dave Shapiro, one other; sparks massive fire in military housing area
Crash in Murphy Canyon: A tragedy in the fog
The jet struck power lines before crashing into a home in Murphy Canyon, a military housing neighbourhood owned by the U.S. Navy. Fog had reduced visibility to just half a mile, prompting the aircraft to operate under instrument flight rules.
Elliot Simpson from the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB) confirmed the plane had left Teterboro, New Jersey, around 11:15 p.m. local time, stopped in Wichita for fuel, and crashed just minutes before reaching its final destination.
Fragments of the jet were found under the power lines, and a wing was located on a nearby street. “As you would expect, something that large at that amount of speed, we're going to have a lot of throw that goes every which direction,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy.
The impact was catastrophic. One home was entirely destroyed, its roof collapsed and its front burned. Ten others sustained damage. Vehicles on the street were melted down to charred shells.
More than 100 residents were evacuated. Five members of one family were hospitalised for smoke inhalation. A sixth person was injured escaping through a window.
Local resident Christopher Moore recalled the moment he and his wife heard a loud bang, “It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you've just got to drop your head and get to safety,” he told the Associated Press.
A nearby Marine described hearing a “strange whistling wheezing noise” before a “boom and a shake in the house.”
Was drummer Daniel Williams on board?
There is speculation that Daniel Williams, former drummer of the Christian metal band The Devil Wears Prada, may have been aboard the aircraft. He had shared Instagram stories from the co-pilot seat next to Shapiro in the hours before the crash, showing the flight number matching the doomed jet.
Williams was a founding member of the band before departing in 2016. After the crash, The Devil Wears Prada posted a tribute on Instagram, “no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Music industry pays tribute
The music community is reeling. Tributes to Shapiro flooded social media, “You changed the lives of so many people. Dave Shapiro forever. xxx”
“People don’t understand how much of an impact Dave Shapiro had on the alternative music scene. RIP, you truly made this scene a better place.”
“Dave Shapiro & Daniel Williams passing is rough. Especially that way… This hurts.”
Shapiro's legacy goes far beyond contracts and tour dates. He built careers. He gave artists a stage. And he inspired many—both in the sky and on the ground.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a full investigation. Early theories point to the low visibility and possible mechanical issues, but officials say it’s too early to confirm a cause.
All six people aboard the aircraft were killed, including Shapiro and two employees of Sound Talent Group (STG), the company he co-founded. Their names have not yet been released pending family notification.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” Sound Talent Group said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time,” the company told Billboard.
Who was Dave Shapiro?
Shapiro was no ordinary agent. In 2018, he co-founded Sound Talent Group with partners Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. The company became a key force in rock and alternative music, representing artists like Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Vanessa Carlton, Silverstein, Parkway Drive and Hanson.
He previously worked at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency, earning respect across the music business.
Beyond talent management, Shapiro wore many hats. He founded the indie label Velocity Records, supporting bands like Thursday, Concrete Castles and Craig Owens. And he was also a seasoned pilot with over 15 years of flying experience.
His aviation business, Velocity Aviation, offered flight instruction. His website captured his passion for flight:
“From BASE jumping to aerobatic flying, helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky.”
Also Read: San Diego plane crash kills music agent Dave Shapiro, one other; sparks massive fire in military housing area
Crash in Murphy Canyon: A tragedy in the fog
The jet struck power lines before crashing into a home in Murphy Canyon, a military housing neighbourhood owned by the U.S. Navy. Fog had reduced visibility to just half a mile, prompting the aircraft to operate under instrument flight rules.
Elliot Simpson from the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB) confirmed the plane had left Teterboro, New Jersey, around 11:15 p.m. local time, stopped in Wichita for fuel, and crashed just minutes before reaching its final destination.
Fragments of the jet were found under the power lines, and a wing was located on a nearby street. “As you would expect, something that large at that amount of speed, we're going to have a lot of throw that goes every which direction,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy.
The impact was catastrophic. One home was entirely destroyed, its roof collapsed and its front burned. Ten others sustained damage. Vehicles on the street were melted down to charred shells.
More than 100 residents were evacuated. Five members of one family were hospitalised for smoke inhalation. A sixth person was injured escaping through a window.
Local resident Christopher Moore recalled the moment he and his wife heard a loud bang, “It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you've just got to drop your head and get to safety,” he told the Associated Press.
A nearby Marine described hearing a “strange whistling wheezing noise” before a “boom and a shake in the house.”
Was drummer Daniel Williams on board?
There is speculation that Daniel Williams, former drummer of the Christian metal band The Devil Wears Prada, may have been aboard the aircraft. He had shared Instagram stories from the co-pilot seat next to Shapiro in the hours before the crash, showing the flight number matching the doomed jet.
Williams was a founding member of the band before departing in 2016. After the crash, The Devil Wears Prada posted a tribute on Instagram, “no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Music industry pays tribute
The music community is reeling. Tributes to Shapiro flooded social media, “You changed the lives of so many people. Dave Shapiro forever. xxx”
“People don’t understand how much of an impact Dave Shapiro had on the alternative music scene. RIP, you truly made this scene a better place.”
“Dave Shapiro & Daniel Williams passing is rough. Especially that way… This hurts.”
Shapiro's legacy goes far beyond contracts and tour dates. He built careers. He gave artists a stage. And he inspired many—both in the sky and on the ground.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched a full investigation. Early theories point to the low visibility and possible mechanical issues, but officials say it’s too early to confirm a cause.
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