Music Agent Dave Shapiro Among Victims in San Diego Plane Crash

Air Disaster Confirmed

Dave Shapiro, a prominent figure in the North American music industry and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, has been confirmed among the deceased following the crash of a small aircraft in a residential area of San Diego, as reported by his talent agency.

Crash Details

Mr Shapiro, whose roster included high-profile rock acts such as Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Pierce the Veil, was aboard the Cessna 550 jet when it impacted a suburban street in the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood. The crash occurred at approximately 15:45 local time (22:45 GMT), resulting in the destruction of one residence and damage to at least ten others. Multiple vehicles were incinerated in the resulting fire.

Victims and Investigation

Federal authorities report that six individuals were on board at the time of the incident, all of whom are presumed dead. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently leading the investigation. At present, the identities of the other victims have not been formally released.

Possible Other Victim Identified

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Daniel Williams, former drummer for the band The Devil Wears Prada, may have been among those on board. Social media activity attributed to Mr Williams placed him on the aircraft in the hours prior to the crash, including images of him seated in the co-pilot's position next to Mr Shapiro.

Sound Talent Group Statement

Sound Talent Group released a statement expressing deep grief over the loss of its co-founder and colleagues: 'We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our thoughts are with their families and all those affected by this tragedy. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time.'

Further Details & Ongoing Investigation

The firm confirmed that three of its employees were aboard the aircraft, although only Mr Shapiro has been publicly identified. In addition to his professional role in artist representation, Mr Shapiro was a seasoned aviator and certified flight instructor, with over 15 years of experience in civil aviation through his enterprise, Velocity Aviation. Local and federal emergency services responded to the scene. The FAA notes that the aircraft type, a Cessna 550, typically accommodates up to ten occupants including crew. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the NTSB.