BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Leaving the music industry and community grieving, a tragic plane crash in San Diego claimed the lives of influential music executive Dave Shapiro, rock musician Daniel Williams, and four others.
See the tweet below.
The tragic accident destroyed one home, damaged 10 others, and sparked fires throughout the neighborhood after jet fuel spread.
Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group and a recognized industry leader in the rock music scene, was piloting the aircraft when it went down in the U.S. Navy Murphy Canyon neighborhood.
The crash claimed six lives, including former drummer Daniel Williams of The Devil Wears Prada and two other Sound Talent Group employees.
No survivors are expected from the aircraft, which was traveling from Teterboro, New Jersey, with a stop in Wichita, Kansas, before the fatal crash near Montgomery Field in San Diego.
The disaster injured eight people on the ground and forced approximately 100 residents to evacuate their homes.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the aftermath in stark terms, highlighting the dangerous combination of aviation and residential areas when accidents occur.
“I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” Wahl said.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the music industry, particularly the rock and metal communities, where Shapiro was a beloved figure.
In 2018, he co-founded Sound Talent Group, representing major artists like Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41.
Sum 41, Story of the Year music agent Dave Shapiro perishes in San Diego plane crash, ex-Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams feared dead https://t.co/ggPUfOFGHz pic.twitter.com/WAcTtXZcbu
— New York Post (@nypost) May 22, 2025
Beyond his business success, Shapiro was known for championing lesser-known bands and helping them build successful careers.
His passion for supporting independent musicians led him to co-found the National Independent Talent Organization, further solidifying his reputation as an advocate for artists.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, collecting evidence from the scene to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Preliminary reports suggested the plane may have struck a power line before crashing, potentially contributing to the extensive damage.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet determined when residents will be able to return to their homes, further disrupting the lives of military families who call the neighborhood home.
Shapiro was recognized in Billboard’s 2012 “30 Under 30” list of rising entertainment stars and owns a flight school and record label, Velocity Records.
His passion for aviation and adventurous spirit, which included activities like base-jumping, were well-known.
In a previous interview, Shapiro had expressed how flying helped him find focus and peace:
“Flying helps me focus and helps me not be distracted by all the nonsense in the world, and whatever’s going on outside the plane kind of doesn’t matter in those moments.”
The music world continues to pour out tributes for both Shapiro and Williams. The Devil Wears Prada posted an emotional message about Williams stating, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Shapiro is survived by his wife, Julia Pawlik Shapiro, who shared homes in San Diego and Homer, Alaska.
According to friends, his last conversation with Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley involved plans for another adventure together, embodying the passionate, all-in approach to life that defined Shapiro’s impact on the music industry and those who knew him personally.
