August 20, 1966 – December 8, 2004
Darrell Abbott, better known as Dimebag Darrell rose to fame with the Multi-platinum selling metal band Pantera, who defined a Genre in the world of metal. Dimebag has been referred to by such people as Eddie Van Halen and Brian May as the best guitarist in the world of metal, and one of the best ever. In 2000 pantera split up, and Dimebag along with his brother Vinnie Paul (Pantera drummer) made the band DamagePlan leaving the remaining two members of Pantera to focus on their side project bands.
On December 8th 2004 DamagePlan were sceduled to play at the Alrosa Villa, Columbus, Ohio. The Alrosa Villa was a famous metal venue, and a venue Dimebag had been to many times before in the early stages of Panteras rise to the major leagues. At around 4pm the band arrived at the club greeted by many fans who were luckily enough to meet the band and take photos with them. One of those men was Nathan Gale, a College footballer who’d been kicked out of the marines due to mental problems. However band security had prevented Gale from gaining access to the band, and he then left the area.
Later that night, after the support acts had headed off stage, DamagePlan took to the stage to begin their first song of the eveing, Breathing New Life. Not 30 seconds into this song, a struggle was seen to the left of the stage (as the crowd look at it) and suddenly Nathen Gale ran onto the stage, grabbed Dimebag by the arm and pumped atleast 5 rounds from a Beretta 9mm pistol into the back of his head.
Nathan Gale
Gale then went on a rampage, as security, roadies and members of the audience tried to hold him back. In all Gale shot 6 people, killing 4 (Including Dimebag). One of the others killed was Jeffrey “Mayhem” Thompson, a long time member of Security who had been with Dimebag and Vinnie since the Pantera days. “Mayhem” had died trying to hold Gale back who in turn shot and killed “Mayhem”. Another killed was fan Nathan Bray who had jumped up onto the stage and attempted to revive Dimebag. As Bray was attempting to do so the killer turned to Bray and shot him point blank in the head, before pumping yet another round into Dimebags already dead and gone body. The third of the deaths was Erin Halk, who was an employee of the club who’s job it was to load gear onto the trucks. Erin was another of the brave guys who had attempted to stop Gale but took a bullet himself. The final 2 who took a bullet but survived were members of the bands road crew, Chris Paluska and John Brooks.
Crime Scene
As all this was going on, the audience was being evacuated from the building and the local Police informed. Officer James Niggemeyer was called to the scene. He then Bravely entered the club from the rear and then as he reached the side of the stage let a well aimed round from his 12 gauge shot gun rip into the killers head, instantly killing him. At the time of this shot, the killer had a hostage under his arm and was seen to be reloading his pistol. Eye witnesses state he reloaded atleast 3 times, indicating the use of atleast 21 rounds.
Eye witness reports say that as Gale entered the stage for the first time, he ran on shouting, in an abusive manner, that Dimebag was responsible for the break-up of Pantera.
Other eye witnesses say that almost instantly Dimebags brother Vinnie was pulled down from his drum kit by security, and he and the bass player were taken away from the stage. The singer of the band, Patrick Lachman was then heard shouting down the mic “This is no joke, call 911, call f*****g 911!!” to the audience who innitially beleived it was all part of the show. Another member of the Audience said that before the show Gale was seen wondering around alone, looking Suspicious, he then disappeared, only to be seen later climbing over a fence to the rear of the Villa which gave him access to the backstage area.
No motive has ever been found as to why Gale did this. Some say it was as direct response to an interview made just 2 weeks before with ex-pantera lead singer Phil Anselmo who said, “Dimebag needs to be severly beaten”. The 9mm pistol used in the shootings was a present from Gales mum, who had given it to him to show how proud she was of his enlistment into the Marines. Police also found a years worth of Gales medication in his flat, suggesting he was extremely ill mentally at the time of the attack.
There you go, I’ve named the pictures so that they speak for themselves. Dimebag was the fucking man, a guitar genius.
Cheers, Adam.
The greatest Metal guitarist ever… his brother joined him in heaven… RIP Vinnie Paul Abbott Legends Forever missed PANTERA We love you Dime
If I remember correctly,this dunce had a copy of “Catcher in the Rye,” favorite reading of John Lennon’s killer and John Hinckley, who shot and almost killed President Ronald Reagan. They should include a copy with every hand gun sold.
2a forever, wokeness never
Eddie Van Halen loved this guy. His original EVH bumblebee guitar is buried with him.
Pictures are in the book vulgar display of power by Chris A
Way too soon man. He should have had more time on this Earth to do his thing. We all got robbed. RIP.
The guns aren’t going anywhere and we’re at the mercy of any of these nuts wherever and whenever they decide to go “off”. Protect yourself. Fight fire with fire. These things happen right out of thin air so do what you have to do to protect you and your family. Get a gun and a license to carry it. It’s your only real chance. RIP Dime!
Your right to arms spiel goes right out the window if you use your brain. If guns were only obtained and used by people who ACTUALLY need a gun ie police, army etc then there would be next to none murders and shootings done by the mentally ill, gang members, hot heads and those “I must have a gun because I’m American “ idiots that live in days of the Wild West. NO GUNS FOR EVERYONE MEANS LESS MURDERS LESS CRIME !! You don’t need to be a genius to understand that, Dime, Kurt, John Lennon, the children of Sandy Hook and hundreds of thousands of other souls that died by a gun would still be alive today.
But you want open borders where all the illegal guns come through. You’re a real idiot. 2a Forever, twat
Mia, instead of gifting the rest of us with your expertise on the evils of gun ownership, maybe you should do some research first (and read a book on grammar, as well). You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, if you are going to verbally insult others, at least be educated on the issue. Here is an analogy: In most countries, including the US, diacetylmorphine is illegal and cannot be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. When it was accidentally developed in Germany (they were trying to create a similar, but far less powerful drug), it was considered heroic because of its superior strength (much in the way that I am). Bayer began selling it over-the-counter as a cough suppressant (it is very effective at suppressing coughs) as well as a prescribed pain reliever. Bayer had claimed the drug was a non-addictive replacement for morphine. We know now that was definitely not true. I am guessing that, by now, you know the drug diacetylmorphine is also called heroin. Back to your comment about making guns illegal for everyone except police, military, etc… How will that stop the people you mentioned (gang members, etc…) from obtaining them? Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is banned for EVERYONE—yet, over one million people abuse this drug everyday. Sure, banning guns will make it impossible for law-abiding people to purchase them, but it will only make it more difficult for gang members to bust a cap in yo’ ass since the now illegal guns will be coming into the US in a similar manner that heroin does. Who do you think will be buying them from the “dealers”?
The Berreta Model 92 9mm Holds 16 rounds, so he more than likely fired far more than 21 rounds..
A friend of mine worked for Darrell before he passed away. Said he was a great guy, very kind and generous. Great write up.
I’ve always found it so eerie that this assassination took place on the anniversary of John Lennon’s assassination.. I know there’s no correlation between the two, but a creepy coincidence nonetheless.
Great read,thanks! His music got me through some rough times.