December 09, 2004

In Memory Of Dimebag/ Bar Wars II

One of the dopest guitarists in all of heavy music was shot in the face and killed last night in Ohio. MTV News Link Police have identified 25 year old Nathan Gale as the shooter. He was apparently disgruntled over the break up of Dime Bag Darrell's former band, Pantera. The new band was called Damageplan and featured other former members of Pantera including the drummer and Dimbag's brother Vinnie Paul who was shot as well . From what I can gather, here's what went down: The shooter mounted the stage at some point during Damageplan's first song of the night. He must've gotten the band to stop playing before pulling out the gun because witnesses report he was shouting at the band regarding Pantera'a break up, saying among other things, "What About Phil!", Refering to Phil Anselmo (Pantera'a former frontman). He then proceeded to empty his automatic handgun into Dimbag Darrell's face at first then his upper body as he went down. Some fan reported thinking that this was somehow part of the show. Then, after changing clips, the gunmen shot at other bandmembers and then into the fleeing crowd. Finally at this point part of the crowd (probably led by bouncers) tried to rush the gunman and disarm him. Being a former marine the gunman was no slouch (in terms of interpersonal combat) and was able to dispatch the first incoming would-be-heros. Details are vague but at somepoint during this struggle a cop, who had heard the gunshots initially, gained access to the club through a rear door. When the cop came upon the scene from behind he saw the shooter holding a hostage in front of him and was targeting others, possibly bouncers. The desicion must have been a simple one for the cop who had the tactical advantage of approaching the shooters from a blind spot (not to mention being armed with a shot gun). The cop targeted the back of the man's head and opened fire possibly striking the hostage as well as dropping the maniac shooter. At this moment im watching a police press conference in Ohio and the spokesman refered to the manner of the cops actions as "strategic". This cop, named James Neigermeyer, probably prevented many more deaths and is a hero. And Dimebag Darrell, creator of many glorious heavy riffs, great songs, and blazin' guitar solos will be missed.

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