On December 8, 2004 the rock group Damageplan and guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott were playing in Columbus, Ohio. It was meant to be the second phase of the rocker's career after his ground-breaking stint as the cofounder of the band Pantera, but instead the night ended in tragedy.
After first attempting to board the band's tour bus, a deranged former U.S. Marine stormed the stage, killing Darrell Abbott and two other men - in addition to a fan who had attempted to save one of the victims.
A quick acting police officer named James Niggemeyer took down the shooter, identified as Nathan Gale.
It was a nightmarish night, and one that is largely unexplained. Some witnesses reported hearing Gale scream about Dimebag Darrell breaking up Pantera. His mother, Mary Clark, said Gale suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.
In an interview with a local TV station in 2014, Clark said she is the one who bought him the gun he used to kill Abbott and the others. She said she had been proud of him and his military service.
"I'll never, never be able to live that part down," she said.
For the rock community, it was a devastating blow, particularly bitter falling on the 24th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon.
As writer Edwardo Rivadavia from UltimateClassicRock.com describes Abbott's death:
"A few terrifying minutes had robbed the world of one of heavy metal’s most gifted guitarists, leaving traumatized bandmates, family and fans in stunned disbelief. An awe-inspiring display of posthumous tributes poured in and, a decade later, the only measure of comfort — if one can call it that — can be found in celebrating Dimebag Darrell’s memory and musical legacy. Every thunderous riff and frenetic lead run from Dimebag’s short but inspiring lifetime continues to motivate modern-day guitar heroes and everyday heavy metal fans alike."
Watch Dimebag Darrell "play like a god," below:
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