Tragedy Strikes in San Diego: Jet Crash Kills Six, Including Music Mogul Dave Shapiro
In the early hours of Thursday morning, a business jet crashed into San Diego’s Murphy Canyon, killing all six onboard and devastating the military housing neighborhood. The Cessna 550 struck power lines just two miles from its destination, igniting fires that damaged at least 10 homes and forced over 100 residents to flee.
Among the victims were Dave Shapiro, 42, a prominent music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and Daniel Williams, former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada. Shapiro, also a licensed pilot and founder of Velocity Aviation, had a deep passion for flight and adventure. He split his time between San Diego and Alaska, often flying his own aircraft.
The jet had departed New Jersey late Wednesday, stopped in Wichita for fuel, and was approaching San Diego when it crashed around 3:45 a.m. under heavy fog. Audio from liveATC.net captured the pilot’s final approach before the crash.
Shapiro’s agency called his loss “devastating,” as tributes poured in from both the music and aviation communities. His wife, Julia, remembered their shared love of adventure, from remote glacier landings to building their life across two states.
The NTSB is investigating the crash and asking witnesses to come forward. While 2025 has seen fewer aviation accidents overall, this loss is a painful reminder of the risks — and the lives behind the headlines.