SAN DIEGO, CA (CelebrityAccess) – Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, was killed in a plane crash in San Diego early Thursday morning.
The aircraft, a 1985 Cessna S550 Citation, reportedly crashed into a residential neighborhood near San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport while on final approach, killing all on board and damaging several homes.
According to flight data from FlightAware, the jet was on the second leg of a trip that began at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, with a stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing on to San Diego.
Preliminary reports indicated at least two fatalities, though as of this writing, authorities have not formally released the names of the victims.
FAA records show the aircraft was registered to Daviator, an Alaska-based company listing David Shapiro as its registered agent.
Dave Shapiro, a licensed pilot certified to operate both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, was known for his work with Angel Flight West, a nonprofit that provides free air transportation for medical patients in need.
While Sound Talent Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a representative told Billboard‘s Dave Brooks that Shapiro and at least two other STG employees—whose names have not yet been made public—were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends,” the rep said. “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.”
Although neither Sound Talent Group nor local authorities have confirmed the identities of the remaining victims, rumors circulating within the industry suggest the passengers may have included members of the band The Devil Wears Prada, as well as an artist manager and an STG assistant.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Shapiro and his two colleagues. Dave was a visionary in the music industry and a founding partner of Sound Talent Group.
His passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians and helped elevate the live music experience for fans around the world. As a founding member of NIT0, Dave was instrumental in the initial formation and funding of the organization and assisted countless of our peers successfully navigate the pandemic shutdown of live music.
Our sincerest condolences go out to Dave’s family, friends, and everyone at STG. This is a monumental loss to our community.
