Rolling Stone has posted some more details on Wednesday nights tragic shooting incident which claimed the lives of four people including Damageplan (and former Pantera) guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
[Shooter Nathan] Gale was an employee for a temp agency who was on medication for mental-health issues. [and] was discharged from the Marines in November 2003 after less than two of the typical four years of service.During the gunfire, a local nurse in the audience, twenty-eight-year-old Mindy Reece, stepped in to aid Abbott. "The one thing that stands out in my mind was I could see Vinnie [Paul] stand up from behind the drums and look down…He had this look on his face like, 'Oh my fucking God.'" says Reece, a Pantera fan since the age of thirteen. With the help of another audience member, she performed CPR on Abbott for several minutes until the paramedics arrived. "I kept saying, 'Dimebag, come on, come on please, stay with me,'" she recalls. "It was bad . . . There was blood on the floor.
The piece concludes with a statement from Sherry Mercurio, a Columbus police department spokesperson who stated categorically that: "The motive is very unclear. Right now, we're trying to piece together statements, which may take some time." A number of musicians inspired by Abbott had some words to say about his passing, and they've been added to the original story.The band and their label have also made some statements, which can be found below.
Damageplan made the following statements today:
“With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, DIME will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! DIME gave it all everyday to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him…Thanks to all of you for reaching out to us in this time of our immeasurable loss. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DIME!!!!!!” - Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul, brother of Dimebag Darrell
“Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson was not just a true part of the Damageplan family, but part of the whole Dallas music scene. He was friend to all, with a great personality. He bent over backward to help us all with his trademark phrases like "What can I do for you sir?" and "Coming up!" He also stated his willingness to protect us, saying "I'd take a bullet for ya," and unfortunately did in defense of our lives. He truly lived and died for his friends and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to save ours. For this we will never forget. You will be missed big man.” - the Damageplan family
Atlantic Records issued the following statement:
“We are shocked and saddened by these horrible and senseless shootings. This is a tragic event for the music community, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the surviving members of Damageplan and their crew. Dimebag Darrell was an exceptional musician and an extraordinary person. Along with his brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul, he was a member of the Elektra/Atlantic family for the past 14 years, and he will be deeply missed. The bravery displayed by Damageplan, their crew, their fans, and the local police will never be forgotten.”