Plane Crash Claims Lives of 2 Music Industry Icons

Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams Honored for Their Enduring Contributions to music

On May 22, 2025, the music world was devastated by a tragic plane crash in San Diego that took the lives of Dave Shapiro, a trailblazing music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), and Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II (C550), was carrying six passengers, all of whom are presumed dead. The C550, reportedly piloted by Shapiro, struck power lines and crashed into a U.S. Navy housing community in the Tierrasanta neighborhood, the impact caused jet fuel to spill, igniting several cars and homes, and nearly 100 residents were evacuated as a precaution. The San Diego Police Department established a temporary evacuation site at a nearby elementary school, and authorities urged the public to avoid the area due to the hazardous conditions, including the smell of jet fuel and burnt wood reported blocks away from the crash site.

Cessna Citation II

On the ground, at least eight residents suffered minor injuries, with one hospitalized and others treated at an evacuation center. The damage was sporadic, with one home showing a massive, charred hole and nearby cars flattened, while other areas experienced less severe effects. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB are investigating the extent of the damage and the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Shapiro, 42, was a powerhouse in the music industry, co-founding STG in 2018 with Tim Borror and Matt Andersen. He worked with major acts like Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, and Parkway Drive and founded Velocity Records. A passionate aviator with over 15 years of experience, Shapiro also ran Velocity Aviation as a certified flight instructor. Williams, 39, was a founding member of The Devil Wears Prada, driving their success from 2005 to 2016 with albums like Dead Throne and Zombie EP. He had recently shifted to a tech career as a senior software architect.

The music community reeled from the loss, with The Devil Wears Prada posting on Instagram: “No words. We owe you everything.” Tributes flooded in, with Hanson calling Shapiro “fearless” and “tireless,” and Fit for a King’s Ryan Kirby praising his transformative influence on alternative music. Social media echoed with grief as fans and peers celebrated their legacies. The crash’s cause is under investigation, with foggy weather cited as a possible factor. The deaths of Shapiro and Williams have carved a profound void in the heart of the heavy rock and metalcore scenes.

As of May 23, 2025, the cause of the crash remains under investigation, with no definitive findings released. The NTSB, responsible for leading the investigation, has stated that a preliminary report will be published on their website in about two weeks, with a final report expected in 12-18 months . The FAA and NTSB are examining factors such as mechanical failure, human error, and environmental conditions, but no conclusions have been drawn yet.