Music Talent Agent Dave Shapiro Among Those Killed in San Diego Jet Crash

Dave Shapiro, a prominent music talent agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, was among the deceased when a private jet carrying six people crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday morning, sparking a massive fire that destroyed homes and vehicles, as per The AP.

The crash occurred just before 4 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a densely populated area of U.S. Navy-owned housing. The aircraft, a 1985 Cessna 550 Citation, hit a power line before crashing into a home, igniting jet fuel that flowed into the street and set at least six vehicles ablaze.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “horrific,” with flames engulfing the area and thick smoke filling the sky.

No residents were killed, but eight people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns. One person was injured while escaping through a window.

Among the victims on board the plane was Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, along with two employees of the agency. Sound Talent Group represents a range of music artists, including Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41. Shapiro was also the owner of Velocity Records.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed six individuals were on board the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with officials still working to recover the remains and determine the cause of the crash.

Musician Daniel Williams, formerly of the band The Devil Wears Prada, was also believed to be among the victims. Williams had posted about boarding the plane just hours before the crash. The band shared a tribute on social media in his memory.

The home directly impacted by the crash was destroyed, with significant damage reported to at least 10 other houses. Residents described being jolted awake by explosions and fire.

Ben McCarty, a Navy service member whose home was struck, recounted escaping the blaze with his wife, children, and dogs with the help of neighbors. “It put my truck into our living room,” he said, noting that both of the family’s vehicles were destroyed.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood, vehicles were reduced to burned shells, and plane debris was scattered across yards and streets. Firefighters battled flames for hours as jet fuel continued to flow through the area. Officials evacuated at least 100 residents.