What started as a quiet, foggy morning in San Diego ended in heartbreak.
A small business jet came crashing down into a military housing neighborhood early Thursday. It was headed for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. But it never made it.
Thick fog covered the sky. The Cessna 550 jet lost control. It tore through the air and slammed into homes, setting off fires and panic. The crash killed all six people on board.
Here’s the rewritten version of the article in simpler, more relatable language, with varied sentence structures, natural use of the keyword “Dave Shapiro” for SEO, and hooks placed throughout. It stays faithful to the original tone while making it more engaging and easier to understand:
One of the victims was Dave Shapiro, a beloved figure in the music world. He was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group and also the man behind Velocity Aviation.
The company shared their pain in a statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families.”
A power outage at the airport may have disabled both the weather system and runway lights. That’s what officials are now investigating. Read more here.
Six Souls Lost. One Plane. A Community in Shock.
Debris was everywhere. Homes were scorched. Cars melted into metal. Nearly 100 people had to leave their homes. Fire crews and police worked through thick smoke and fire.
But behind the flames were names. Stories. Dreams. Let’s remember who they were.
Dave Shapiro, 42
To many, Dave Shapiro was more than just a name. He was a powerhouse in the music scene — a maager, agent, pilot, and entrepreneur. He helped shape careers in rock, metal, and punk music. Bands relied on him. Friends admired him. Fans respected him.
His Instagram told part of his story: tattoos, jet engines, guitars, and wide-open skies.
In 2018, he co-founded Sound Talent Group, a major player in music booking. At the same time, he chased his passion for aviation. That passion led to Velocity Aviation, his own flight company in San Diego and Alaska. Velocity Aviation’s website paints the picture of a man who never stood still.
Flying wasn’t just a hobby. It was part of who Dave Shapiro was. He had logged thousands of hours in the air, flown over a million miles, and earned his Airline Transport Pilot license — the highest possible for a civilian.
In fact, he even flew to his own wedding. He and his wife boarded a bright red plane and soared over Denali National Park in Alaska to say their vows on a glacier. Her gold sequined dress sparkled against the snow. His Iron Maiden T-shirt peeked from under his suit jacket. It was the kind of wedding only Dave Shapiro would dream up.
He owned a restaurant, a record label, and a merch business. He lived large. But he lived right.
After the crash, tributes poured in. “He was a huge part of my career,” music producer Carson Slovak wrote on Facebook. “He was kind, generous, and passionate about everything he touched.”
Others described him as a legend. A force. A light that will never be replaced.
Emma Huke, 25
Emma Lynn Huke was young, full of promise, and already making waves. She worked as a booking associate for Sound Talent Group. Her coworkers called her sharp, organized, and passionate about live music.
She grew up dancing. She earned a journalism degree at the University of Oregon. She interned all over the music industry before landing her dream role.
Taylor Swift. The 1975. Emma loved watching live shows. That love turned into a career.
“She was a beautiful soul who brought joy to everyone around her,” her company said.
Her light shined bright — and too briefly.
Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, 36
Celina Kenyon was a San Diego-based music photographer. Her lens captured moments that fans hold close: Jelly Roll onstage, Paris Hilton behind the scenes, and countless other stars.
Her work appeared in major magazines like Paper, Variety, and Rock Sound. But her most important role? Mom.
She had flown privately so she could be home in time to take her daughter to school. That’s what her father shared in a statement to NBC 7 San Diego.
“The world has lost a beautiful bright light,” he said. Her family is devastated — and not alone in their grief.
Kendall Fortner, 24: A Music Lover With a Business Mind
Kendall grew up in Santa Clarita, California, where her dad sparked her love for music. She graduated from San Diego State in 2021 and joined Sound Talent Group after college.
Her family said she was independent, strong, and full of energy. She loved all kinds of music — from Green Day to Ed Sheeran, from 1950s doo-wop to classic rock. She taught herself guitar and piano.
“Kendall was the life of the party,” her family shared. “She lit up every room.”
Daniel Williams, 39: The Beat of a Generation
Daniel Williams made his name as the drummer for The Devil Wears Prada. Fans knew his unique rhythm. His style helped define the metalcore scene in the 2000s.
Though he left the band in 2016, his impact never faded. Hours before the crash, he posted photos of himself boarding the plane with Dave Shapiro. After the tragedy, his band posted: “No words. We owe you everything.”
Guitarist Jeremy DePoyster wrote, “You inspired me every day. You gave me everything I have in this life.”
Williams also survived a mass shooting in 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. He had spoken about that terrifying night, how scared he was, and how grateful he felt to be alive.
Recently, he had started a new chapter — a tech job at Apple after nearly eight years at GoPro. But to fans and fellow musicians, he was always a drummer. An icon.
It’s hard to explain the weight of this loss. For many, the crash felt personal. It wasn’t just about an accident. It was about people who meant something — to their families, their coworkers, and the music community.
Dave Shapiro’s name keeps echoing across social media. Not just because of who he was, but because of how he lived. He didn’t just talk about chasing dreams — he jumped out of planes, flew over glaciers, and helped build careers from scratch.
Photos from the crash scene show how powerful the impact was. But it’s the emotional impact that will last the longest.
Their families now face a new kind of normal. One without their laughter. Their ideas. Their music.
What Happens Next?
Investigators are still looking into what went wrong. The National Transportation Safety Board is focused on the blackout at the airport, which may have knocked out key safety systems.
But even as answers are searched for, lives already changed forever.
In a community like San Diego, where creative energy and sky-high dreams often go hand in hand, this crash felt like a punch to the gut. People aren’t just mourning — they’re remembering. Sharing stories. Playing old tracks. Watching concert clips. Honoring the people who made it all possible.
Cheers to a Life Well Lived
There’s a saying — “Live fast, love hard, and leave behind something that matters.” Dave Shapiro and the others on that flight did just that. They lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind legacies that can’t be erased.
Their absence will be felt at shows, studios, and stages across the country. But their spirit? That’s not going anywhere.
They were doers. Dreamers. Builders. Flyers.
This isn’t just a sad news story. It’s a wake-up call to appreciate the time we get and the people we share it with.
So next time you’re at a concert, take a second to look around.
Soak it in.
Feel the music.
And raise a glass — cheers to a life well lived.
