Who was Dave Shapiro, the music agent killed in San Diego plane crash?

In the early hours of May 22, 2025, a tragic aviation accident occurred in San Diego's Murphy Canyon neighborhood , when a private Cessna Citation II jet crashed into a residential area, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and causing significant property damage.


Cessna Citation II and the passengers

The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II built in 1985 and registered as N666DS, was owned by Dave Shapiro through his company, Daviation LLC. Shapiro, a licensed pilot, co-founded the music talent agency Sound Talent Group and also owned Velocity Aviation, a flight school, and Velocity Records. The plane departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on May 21, 2025, made a refueling stop at Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, and was en route to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, California. Onboard were six individuals, including Shapiro and two of his employees from Sound Talent Group. All three were confirmed dead following the crash.


Dave Shapiro

Dave Shapiro was a prominent figure in the music industry, having co-founded Sound Talent Group, which represented artists such as Hanson, Vanessa Carlton, and Sum 41. His contributions extended beyond talent management to include the establishment of a flight school and a record label. The loss of Shapiro and his colleagues has been deeply felt within the music community.


Tributes pour in for Dave Shapiro

Fans and followers are in disbelief and shock with the death of Dave Shapiro.


"You changed the lives of so many people. Dave Shapiro forever. xxx"

You changed the lives of so many people. Dave Shapiro forever. xxx pic.twitter.com/vW1PrBQ9vL

— sarah (@coffeeetrash) May 22, 2025

"People don’t understand how much of an impact Dave Shapiro had on the alternative music scene. RIP, you truly made this scene a better place, it’s going to be really hard without you."

People don’t understand how much of an impact Dave Shapiro had on the alternative music scene. RIP, you truly made this scene a better place, it’s going to be really hard without you.

— Ryan Joseph Kirby (@ryankirbz) May 22, 2025

"Dave Shapiro & Daniel Williams passing is rough. Especially that way. The Devil Wears Prada was at the 1st show I ever went to. I was 14. It was at the Tabernacle. Dan looked right at me, smiled & threw me a drumstick. I still have it. One of my favorite memories. This hurts."

Dave Shapiro & Daniel Williams passing is rough. Especially that way. The Devil Wears Prada was at the 1st show I ever went to. I was 14. It was at the Tabernacle. Dan looked right at me, smiled & threw me a drumstick. I still have it. One of my favorite memories.

This hurts.

— Sirdoom34 (@sirdoom34) May 22, 2025

San Diego plane crash : What happened?

At approximately 3:45 a.m. PDT, the jet crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a residential area owned by the U.S. Navy. The aircraft struck power lines before impacting a house, leading to a fire that damaged or destroyed multiple homes and vehicles. The crash site was located about two miles from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, the intended destination.


Weather conditions at the time included dense fog, with visibility reported at approximately half a mile. These conditions may have contributed to the crash, as the aircraft was likely operating under instrument flight rules due to reduced visibility.


The Murphy Canyon neighborhood, known for its military housing, experienced significant disruption due to the crash. In addition to the loss of life, the destruction of homes and vehicles has left residents grappling with displacement and property loss. Community members have expressed shock and grief over the incident, and local authorities are providing support services to those affected.


"At least one home was destroyed with its front heavily burned and its roof partially collapsed. About 10 others suffered damage at the site where half a dozen vehicles were melted and scorched into burned shells," AP reported. "San Diego police officer Anthony Carrasco said five people from a single family were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation after evacuating to a nearby school. Another person was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained while climbing out of a window trying to flee. Two others were treated for minor injuries at the scene," it added.


The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have initiated investigations into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft's collision with power lines and the prevailing foggy conditions are factors under consideration. The investigation aims to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the accident and to assess any mechanical or human factors involved.