Local News
San Diego plane crash victims identified as David Shapiro and Daniel Williams
SAN DIEGO, CA — A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning has claimed the lives of at least two individuals, including prominent music industry figure Dave Shapiro and former drummer of the band The Devil Wears Prada, Daniel Williams.
The crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego, sending shockwaves through the local community and music industry alike.
The Cessna 550 Citation II aircraft, believed to be traveling from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas, was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
According to Flight Aware, the plane was on approach when it went down in heavy fog, impacting a densely populated residential area near Sculpin Street and Santo Road.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Dan Eddy described the aftermath as catastrophic. “There was a direct hit to multiple homes,” he said during a press briefing. “Jet fuel ran down the street, engulfing every single car on both sides in flames. We have a massive debris field and widespread fire damage.”
Approximately 15 homes and several vehicles were damaged or destroyed, and more than 100 residents were forced to evacuate.
At least eight individuals sustained injuries, most of them minor.
These victims were treated at an emergency evacuation center established at Miller Elementary School.
One person was hospitalized for injuries sustained while escaping through a window.
Another five members of a family were treated for smoke inhalation. Authorities reported no ground fatalities, although two people from the aircraft were confirmed deceased.
A spokesperson for Sound Talent Group, a music agency co-founded by Dave Shapiro, released a heartfelt statement following the crash:
“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 for respecting their privacy at this time.”
While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and FBI personnel are also involved. Investigators are working to determine whether the aircraft may have struck power lines before crashing.
Residents near the crash site reported being jolted awake by a loud explosion. Christopher Moore, who lives one street over, described the terrifying moments after impact: “We looked out the window and saw smoke. We grabbed our two kids and ran. On the way out, we passed a car completely engulfed in flames.”
Police officers also rescued three husky puppies from one of the affected homes, transporting them safely away from the blaze in a wagon.
San Diego officials said Sculpin Street, Sample Street, and parts of Santo Road remain closed. Limited access was granted to some residents in the area by Thursday afternoon, but several streets, including Salmon Street and Yorktown Drive, remain inaccessible.
The Murphy Canyon neighborhood is home to many military families and is located near multiple aviation facilities, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
Eddy emphasized the difficulty of firefighting and rescue operations due to the dense fog present at the time of the crash. “Visibility was extremely limited—you could barely see in front of you,” he said.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone who locates aircraft debris or jet fuel remnants to call the non-emergency number at 619-531-2000.
This tragic incident has left a community grieving and a music industry mourning the loss of influential voices. Further updates will be provided as new details emerge.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.