Dimebag Darrell, the guitarist for Pantera and Damageplan, died on December 8, 2004.

Circumstances

He was fatally shot onstage during a Damageplan performance at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio, by a gunman named Nathan Gale. The attack also killed three others and injured two more before police stopped the shooter.

Background

Born Darrell Lance Abbott on August 20, 1966, he rose to fame as one of heavy metal's most influential guitarists through Pantera's albums in the 1990s. After Pantera disbanded in 2003 amid internal tensions, he formed Damageplan with his brother Vinnie Paul. Thousands attended his memorial, including notable musicians like Eddie Van Halen.