Murders at Columbus, Ohio, Rock Show Underscore Need for Security

Dec. 9, 2004
Accounts say security guard attempting to stop shooter became a victim before police were able to nullify shooter

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, an Arlington native and former guitarist in the heavy metal band Pantera, was fatally shot Wednesday night when a gunman ran onstage at a Columbus, Ohio, nightclub and began firing, witnesses and police said.

His brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, 40, was also shot, but his condition could not be learned late Wednesday.

Columbus police reported that at least five people were killed and two were wounded at the Alrosa Villa club, where the band Damageplan was playing. One of the dead was the gunman, who was shot by a police officer, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

After Pantera disbanded, the brothers, who still live in the area, formed Damageplan in 2003. The other band members are vocalist Patrick Lachman and bassist Bobzilla.

A woman who answered the phone at Dimebag Darrell's home in Dalworthington Gardens late Wednesday said the family was waiting for official confirmation of the brothers' conditions.

A witness told The Associated Press that the gunman sought out Dimebag Darrell, 38, and shot him five or six times at close range. The gunman also shot a bouncer who pulled him off the musician, the AP reported.

Gary Stinnett, who got to know Dimebag Darrell while working at radio station 93.3 The Bone in 2002 and 2003, said he heard about the shooting when one of the band's road crew members called his brother from the club.

"He said the police were keeping everyone backstage and that they were still trying to figure out who else was shot," said Stinnett, who now manages a band. "He said some guy just jumped on the stage and started shooting at the band and that Darrell was killed."

Stinnett said he had just seen Damageplan perform Nov. 4 at the Ridglea Theater. He said Darrell Abbott's death is going to devastate rock music lovers in Texas.

"Every local band in Dallas-Fort Worth looked up to those guys," Stinnett said. "He was huge."

Staff Writer Alex Branch contributed to this report, which includes material from the Associated Press and the Columbus Dispatch.