Two of the six victims of the San Diego plane crash have been identified as drummer Daniel Williams and Sum 41 agent Dave Shapiro.
As previously reported, the small Cessna 550 jet, which was carrying six people, went down around 3:47AM on Thursday, May 22.
The crash site, which took place at the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, quickly became a scene of chaos as the fiery wreck ignited multiple homes and vehicles.
“We have jet fuel all over the place,” Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said during a press conference. “The main goal moving forward is to ensure all those houses are cleared and no one is inside. Then we will move in the middle where the plane crashed near the cars and search them, then search the plane."
Eddy described “a direct hit to multiple homes” and “a gigantic debris field” in the densely populated area. Thick fog made conditions especially perilous. “It was very foggy. You could barely see in front of you,” he said, per the Evening Standard.
Among the deceased was Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, which has represented major acts like Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Hanson.
The agency confirmed it lost three employees in the crash, including Shapiro, though the others have not yet been publicly named.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends,” a Sound Talent Group spokesperson told the BBC. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
The 42-year-old was not only a veteran talent agent but also an experienced and adventurous pilot.
“From BASE jumping to aerobatic flying, Helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky,” reads a statement on his aviation company’s website.
Shapiro was the owner of Velocity Aviation and Velocity Records. He opened a San Diego office for his agency inside an aircraft hangar and had recently obtained his airline transport pilot rating in 2019.
Also on board was Daniel Williams, former drummer for the metal-core band The Devil Wears Prada.
His family confirmed his death, although official confirmation from authorities is still pending.
Just before the crash, Williams posted a photo from the co-pilot’s seat with the caption: “Hey... look at me... I’m the (co) pilot now," per The Independent.
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Despite the post, his father said that Williams did not have a pilot’s license.
Williams’ former bandmates paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing: “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
“This hurts really bad,” penned the band’s guitarist Jeremy DePoyster. “Rest easy boys. I love you. We’ll see each other again.”
Lead guitarist Kyle Sipress re-posted a picture of Williams overlaid with “forever family”.
According to USA Today, eight residents were treated for injuries after the crash.
Despite the wreckage and multiple homes catching fire, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl called it a “miracle” that there were no other fatalities on the ground.
“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 added.
The FAA has confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be leading the ongoing investigation into what caused the tragedy.