Local News
Former Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams Shared Final Post Before Fatal Plane Crash in San Diego
Daniel Williams, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, posted a series of photos from the cockpit of a small aircraft just hours before a tragic crash in San Diego that claimed at least two lives, sparking widespread fears that he may be among the deceased.
The 39-year-old musician shared a series of Instagram stories late Wednesday evening, appearing to document his flight from the cockpit.
One post showed Williams seated at the plane’s controls with the caption, “Hey. Hey… you… look at me…. I’m the (co)pilot now,” referencing a popular movie quote.
In another story, he posted a photo of the aircraft with the caption, “Flying back with @davevelocity,” tagging music agent and pilot Dave Shapiro. A final image, captioned “Here we gooooo,” showed him in the co-pilot’s seat moments before takeoff.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey around 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
It made a fuel stop in Kansas before continuing its journey to Southern California.
The plane ultimately crashed in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego, a quiet community near military housing.
The crash, which occurred in dense fog conditions, destroyed multiple homes and vehicles. San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy described the scene as chaotic and dangerous: “You could barely see in front of you,” he said during a press conference.
Authorities believe the aircraft struck several residential properties, sparking fires that damaged at least 15 buildings and forced the evacuation of approximately 100 residents.
More than 50 emergency personnel responded to the scene.
The agency Sound Talent Group later confirmed that Dave Shapiro, 42, co-founder of the music agency and a prominent talent representative, was among those killed in the crash.
In a statement, the agency said:
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. 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.”
As of now, Williams has not been officially confirmed among the victims, and no further updates have been shared on his social media accounts since his pre-flight posts.
Authorities have yet to release a full list of those onboard or the exact cause of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
UPDATE: Officials confirmed there was no active threat and said the earlier reports of a shooting were linked to a scheduled training exercise.
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA — Authorities responded to reports of an active shooter situation at Air Force Plant 42, a high-security aerospace facility, prompting a full lockdown of the site.
According to emergency dispatch logs and scanner traffic, the first reports of possible gunfire were received at approximately 1:20 p.m. EST.
Security forces from the base, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and federal agents, immediately converged on the area to secure the perimeter and assess the situation.
Two individuals were reported wounded. Both were treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel before being transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been disclosed, though no fatalities have been confirmed.
The facility remains under full lockdown, with all personnel instructed to shelter in place as law enforcement continues a systematic search of the premises.
Air Force Plant 42 spans more than 5,800 acres in Palmdale and serves as a critical hub for the U.S. aerospace and defense industry.
The installation supports operations involving B-2 Spirit bombers, B-21 Raider stealth aircraft, RQ-4 Global Hawks, and other classified aviation programs.
The site is home to major defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, employing more than 8,500 personnel daily across multiple secure facilities.
As of this update, officials have not confirmed whether a suspect has been detained or if the gunfire originated on or near the base property.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) are jointly handling the investigation.
Residents and nearby businesses have been advised to avoid the area until the lockdown is lifted and further notice is provided.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as the situation develops.