Introduction
On the early morning of May 22, 2025, a devastating plane crash in San Diego shook the music industry and the local community. A Cessna 550 aircraft, also known as a Cessna Citation II, crashed into the Murphy Canyon military housing neighborhood near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Among the six presumed fatalities were Dave Shapiro, a renowned music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. This tragic San Diego jet crash not only claimed lives but also left a profound impact on the music world and the Tierrasanta community. This article delves into the details of the jet crash, the lives of those lost, and the ongoing investigation into this catastrophic event.
The Tragic San Diego Plane Crash
At approximately 3:45 a.m. local time, a Cessna 550 carrying six passengers crashed into Murphy Canyon San Diego, a residential area primarily known for its Navy-owned housing. The plane crash today in San Diego occurred under dense fog, which likely contributed to the aircraft striking a power line before plummeting into a home. The resulting jet crash in San Diego ignited a massive fire, destroying one home, damaging ten others, and setting numerous vehicles ablaze. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), all six individuals on board are presumed dead, marking this as one of the deadliest plane crashes in San Diego in recent years.
The Cessna Citation, piloted by Dave Shapiro, had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, with a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas, before heading to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The aircraft, a 1985 model, was registered to Shapiro’s aviation company, Velocity Aviation. The San Diego crash occurred just two miles southeast of the airport, as the plane was on its final approach. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by flames engulfing the Murphy Canyon plane crash site. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, with preliminary reports suggesting low visibility and the collision with power lines as key factors.
Dave Shapiro: A Visionary in Music and Aviation
David Shapiro, aged 42, was a towering figure in the music industry. As the co-founder of Sound Talent Group, Shapiro represented prominent bands such as Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Pierce the Veil. His passion for independent music, particularly in the hard rock, punk, and indie genres, made him a beloved figure among artists and peers. Shapiro’s career began at major agencies like United Talent Agency and The Agency Group before he co-founded Sound Talent Group in 2018 with Tim Borror and Matt Anderson. His innovative approach fostered the growth of independent agencies, reshaping the music booking landscape.
Beyond music, Shapiro was an avid aviator. A certified airline transport pilot and flight instructor with over 15 years of experience, he owned Velocity Aviation, a flight school, and Velocity Records, a record label. His adventurous spirit was evident in his pursuits, from BASE jumping to aerobatic flying. Shapiro’s LinkedIn profile highlighted his love for the skies, stating, “From helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, it doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky.” Tragically, it was this passion that led to his presence on the ill-fated Cessna 550 during the San Diego plane crash today.
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Tragic Cessna 550 Crash in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon: A Detailed Account of the 2025 Incident
Sound Talent Group issued a heartfelt statement to Billboard, confirming the loss of Shapiro and two other employees: “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 today’s tragedy.” The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), where Shapiro was a founding member, also mourned his passing, describing him as “a visionary in the music industry” whose “passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians.”
Daniel Williams: The Heartbeat of The Devil Wears Prada
Daniel Williams, aged 39, was a founding member and former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada, a Christian metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio. Known for his powerful drumming and charismatic presence, Williams played with the band from 2005 to 2016, contributing to their rise as a staple in the metalcore scene. His work on albums like Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord and With Roots Above and Branches Below helped cement the band’s legacy. Williams’ family confirmed his death to TMZ, and The Devil Wears Prada shared an emotional tribute on Instagram: “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Hours before the plane crash in San Diego, Williams posted Instagram Stories showing the interior of the Cessna Citation II, tagging Shapiro with the caption, “Flying back with @davevelocity.” One post, captioned “Hey… you… look at me… I’m the (co)pilot now,” showed Williams in the co-pilot seat, a haunting foreshadowing of the tragedy. His posts, combined with flight records, confirmed he was aboard the doomed flight. Williams’ resilience was notable; he had survived a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, six years prior, making his loss in the San Diego plane crash even more poignant.
The music community responded with an outpouring of grief. The Word Alive, another band represented by Shapiro, wrote, “Dave was one of the most influential and positive forces in our music scene, and Dan was one of the most influential and positive forces behind the kit.” Fans on X echoed this sentiment, with one user sharing, “Heart goes out to Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams’ family and friends. What a f****** tragedy this week has been.”
The Impact on Murphy Canyon and Tierrasanta
The Murphy Canyon San Diego plane crash had a profound impact on the local community. Murphy Canyon, the largest Navy-owned housing complex in the country, is home to military families who displayed remarkable bravery during the crisis. Residents assisted firefighters in evacuating homes as jet fuel ignited, destroying one residence and damaging ten others. Eight residents sustained minor injuries, primarily from fleeing the flames, but no ground fatalities were reported. An animal shelter in San Diego reported washing jet fuel off eight dogs rescued from the crash site, highlighting the environmental toll.
The Tierrasanta plane crash also disrupted the broader Tierrasanta neighborhood, forcing the evacuation of over 100 residents. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, which scorched vehicles and left debris scattered across streets. Fragments of the Cessna 550, including a wing section, were found under power lines and on nearby roads, underscoring the crash’s severity. The San Diego news outlets reported on the community’s resilience, with one resident telling CNN, “The military families did a phenomenal job as firefighters were getting on scene to help one another.”
Investigation into the San Diego Jet Crash
The NTSB and FAA are leading the investigation into the San Diego plane crash. Preliminary findings point to dense fog and the plane’s collision with a power line as contributing factors. Air traffic control audio, obtained from LiveATC.net, revealed the pilot requesting weather updates due to the Montgomery-Gibbs weather station being down. The aircraft’s flight path showed it was on final approach, less than five kilometers from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, when the incident occurred. Investigators are examining the wreckage, with parts of the Cessna Citation scattered across Murphy Canyon.
Elliot Simpson of the NTSB noted that the plane’s impact with power lines likely caused it to lose control, leading to the catastrophic crash. The FAA has not yet released an official cause, but the investigation will explore factors such as pilot error, mechanical failure, and environmental conditions. The Cessna 550, capable of carrying up to ten passengers, was carrying six at the time, including Shapiro, Williams, and two other Sound Talent Group employees whose identities have not been disclosed.
The Legacy of Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams
Dave Shapiro left an indelible mark on the music industry. His work with Sound Talent Group supported a diverse roster of artists, from pop acts like Hanson to metal bands like Parkway Drive. His entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond music, with ventures in aviation, hospitality, and merchandise. Bill D’Arcangelo, an artist manager at Mid Atlantic Management, described Shapiro as “a pillar of the music industry that will never be replicated or replaced.” His loss is a blow to the independent music scene, where his advocacy for non-mainstream artists was unparalleled.
Similarly, Daniel Williams was a cornerstone of The Devil Wears Prada. His drumming defined the band’s early sound, and his influence persisted even after his departure in 2016. Fans remembered him as approachable and kind, with one X user recalling, “Daniel Williams always had the time of day to talk or take a pic in the probably 15 times I saw Prada between ‘06 and ‘13.” The band’s tribute underscored his foundational role, stating, “We owe you everything.”
Community and Industry Response
The San Diego plane crash prompted widespread mourning in both the local and music communities. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with tributes. A post by @RockFeedNet announced, “Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, has been confirmed dead following a tragic plane crash early Thursday morning in San Diego.” Another user, @Sweetcaligurl07, speculated controversially, “7/10 plane crashes are targeted kills,” though this claim lacks evidence and reflects the emotional intensity surrounding the event.
Music industry peers expressed their grief. Thursday, a band represented by Shapiro, stated, “We trusted Dave with our music, and we are pretty sure Thursday wouldn’t exist today were it not for Dave’s assistance.” The outpouring of support highlighted the deep connections Shapiro and Williams had forged over their careers.
The Broader Context of Plane Crashes in San Diego
The San Diego plane crash 2025 adds to a history of aviation incidents in the region. Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, a hub for private and corporate jets, has seen other accidents, though none as deadly in recent memory. The Cessna involved in this crash was a reliable model, but its age (1985) raises questions about maintenance and upgrades. The FAA’s ongoing investigation will likely provide clarity, but for now, the plane crash today serves as a somber reminder of the risks of private aviation, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
Moving Forward: Healing and Investigation
As San Diego grapples with the aftermath of the airplane crash, the focus is on healing and understanding. The Tierrasanta and Murphy Canyon communities are rallying to support affected families, with local authorities providing resources for those displaced. The music industry, meanwhile, is reflecting on the loss of two influential figures whose contributions shaped countless careers.
The NTSB’s investigation will take months to conclude, but early reports suggest that fog, a common challenge in San Diego, played a significant role. The loss of Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams underscores the fragility of life and the unpredictability of tragedy. Their legacies, however, will endure through the music they helped create and the lives they touched.
Conclusion
The San Diego plane crash of May 22, 2025, is a tragedy that resonates far beyond Murphy Canyon. Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, through their work with Sound Talent Group and The Devil Wears Prada, left lasting impacts on the music industry. The Cessna 550 crash, which claimed six lives, has sparked grief, reflection, and a renewed focus on aviation safety. As investigations continue, the music and San Diego communities honor the memories of those lost, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten.
Reference:
- Billboard: Dave Shapiro, Music Agent & Sound Talent Group Owner, Killed in San Diego Plane Crash
- NBC San Diego: What We Know About a Private Plane’s Fatal Crash into a San Diego Neighborhood
- The San Diego Union-Tribune: Music Agent Dave Shapiro and Ex-Devil Wears Prada Drummer Believed Killed in Plane Crash
- BBC: Dave Shapiro, Music Agent Killed in San Diego Plane Crash
- CNN: San Diego Business Jet Crashes in Murphy Canyon, Multiple Dead
