Dec. 28, 2004 - DAMAGEPLAN Frontman Comments On DIMEBAG's Murder: Video Available DAMAGEPLAN frontman Patrick Lachman has spoken exclusively to Fuse "Uranium" host Juliya about the shooting incident earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio that left five people dead, including DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. In a brief interview conducted on the day (Dec. 14) of the public memorial service for Abbott in Arlington, Texas, Lachman said, "I want people to understand that the reason that we're all here is because of Dimebag — I mean, he brought us all together. But there were people that sacrificed everything, including their own fucking lives, to try and protect him, to try and protect us. Jeff Thompson — 'Mayhem,' as everyone knows him. He was our personal security, but more importantly, he was a good friend to all of us. And he even stated, 'I'd take a bullet for you.' The way he said it, it rolled off his back, like, 'I'd take a bullet for ya.' And he kept his word. He gave our fucking band everything we ever wanted, including his fucking life to save ours. It's pretty fucking amazing. He gave the ultimate sacrifice to take care of the people that he loved. He's part of the family. "So many other heroic things happened that night. "Our tour manager, Chris Paluska, tried to stop the guy that created this nightmare, took a bullet in the chest. Pretty fucking brave thing to do. I put him on the fucking stretcher myself. That was the only thing that I could do, you know. "John Graham, a.k.a. Bushman, a.k.a. Pete High, saved Vinnie Paul's life, pushed him down to the floor, jumped on top of him like a goddamned CIA, fucking Secret Service agent. That's why Vinnie Paul's alive today. Thank you. "John Brooks, a.k.a. The Kat, everybody knows. Best dude. Fucking saved so many lives. Took three fucking bullets and lived to fucking tell about it. Bad motherfucker. "An innocent fucking person, a fan from the audience, tried to come up and help, took a bullet [and] died. "A security guard that worked for the venue in Columbus took a bullet and died. "These people should not be forgotten. It's not just about Dime. But Dime brought us all together, and he will always be remembered." Watch a video clip containing Lachman's statement at this location(Windows Media). Dec. 17, 2004 - The most accurate story of the shooting as told by roadies at the venue from roadie.net Dec. 15, 2004 - Photos Of DIMEBAG DARRELL's Final Resting Place Posted Online FindAGrave.com has published several photos of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's final resting place at the Moore Funeral Home Cemetery in Arlington (Tarrant County), Texas. Check them out: Photo#1, Photo#2, Photo#3. According to the Star-Telegram, a small procession of limousines left Abbott's Dalworthington Gardens home on Tuesday (Dec. 14) at about 3 p.m. for the funeral service. After the funeral, mourners said Abbott was buried in a KISS-themed casket, dubbed the "Kiss Kasket" (photo). In recent years, Abbott made recording appearances with one of his influences, Ace Frehley, KISS' first lead guitarist. Rocker Eddie Van Halen and members of the band SLIPKNOT attended the funeral, where ex-ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell performed two songs, one acoustic and one folk, officials said. Comedian Jim Florentine was in the VIP section at the public memorial service last night as DAMAGEPLAN drum technician John "Kat" Brooks walked by. Brooks' right hand was still bandaged from the gunshot wound he received during the rampage in Columbus last week, and he declined to be interviewed. "He just made fans feel welcome," said Florentine, who was a friend and fan. "Whoever was there, he would treat you the same ... really rare in a guy of his status." Vinnie Paul Abbott took the stage and pulled a life-size cutout of his brother close to him. Darrell Abbott gave his heart to everyone, his brother said. "He went down doing something he loved; he loved playing guitar." "The brightest star in Texas is shining tonight. That's my brother Dimebag. Give it up." Dec. 15, 2004 - DAMAGEPLAN, PANTERA Album Sales Jump Sharply Following Dimebag's Death DAMAGEPLAN and PANTERA albums have seen a sharp sales increase in the last week as a result of the shocking death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, who was shot and killed while performing onstage at a Columbus nightclub. The following is an overview of the sales figures for the debut effort from DAMAGEPLAN as well as some of the key PANTERA releases, as measured by Nielsen SoundScan: DAMAGEPLAN – "New Found Power" (2004): Two weeks ago: 622 Last week: 7,020 Total to date: 167,106 PANTERA - "Best Of…" (2003): Two weeks ago: 1,928 Last week: 8,659 Total to date: 290,597 PANTERA – "Vulgar Display of Power" (1992): Two weeks ago: 741 Last week: 3,530 Total to date: 1,923,171 PANTERA – "Cowboys From Hell" (1990): Two weeks ago: 483 Last week: 2,825 Total to date: 1,374,326 PANTERA – "Far Beyond Driven" (1994): Two weeks ago: 349 Last week: 1,941 Total to date: 1,377,898 Dec. 15, 2004 - PHILIP ANSELMO: I Never Got A Chance To Say Goodbye, And It Kills Me - Keith Spera of The Times-Picayune has issued the following report: The onstage killing of former bandmate "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott has left ex-PANTERA vocalist and north shore resident Phil Anselmo distraught and questioning his own future. In a transcript of a videotaped statement released to the media Tuesday, Anselmo said: "People want my reaction to what happened. This is about Dimebag Darrell, purely Darrell. It's not about me or some . . . psycho that happened to destroy the most beautiful person, one of my best friends in the world." Abbott, 38, was shot and killed Dec. 8 while performing with the hard rock band DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio, nightclub. Three other people, including DAMAGEPLAN's chief of security, died after Nathan Gale, 25, opened fire with a handgun. Gale was an ex-Marine and metal fan reportedly angered by the band PANTERA's breakup. He was shot and killed by a police officer responding to 911 calls. Anselmo and Abbott spent 15 years touring the world together in PANTERA. PANTERA didn't achieve widespread success until Anselmo, a New Orleans native, joined about 1989. PANTERA sold more than 10 million albums, collected two Grammy nominations and inspired legions of aspiring hard rock bands. But by 2002, Anselmo, Darrell Abbott and his brother Vinnie Paul Abbott, the band's drummer, had become estranged as Anselmo devoted more time to other projects. In 2003, they confirmed that PANTERA had disbanded, as the two camps exchanged accusations in the hard rock press. Anselmo was at home on the north shore last week when Abbott was killed. As Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley of KISS, Brian May of QUEEN and other rock icons memorialized Abbott, a devastated Anselmo made no public comment until Tuesday. Anselmo's statement says that "the heavy metal media destroyed PANTERA." He laments that he "never got a chance to say goodbye (to Abbott) in the right way and it kills me, and I'm so sorry." Anselmo traveled to Dallas for Abbott's funeral. But he ended up not attending "to respect the (Abbott) family's wishes, and they do not want me there. I believe I belong there, but I understand completely." "I wish his family the least grief they could ever have, and I know it's impossible. Just bless his family, bless his friends. I love him like a brother loves a brother. . . . I'm so sorry to his family and everyone else who was senselessly killed in Columbus, Ohio." His statement hints at an uncertain professional future. "This has changed the entire world, and this is the last you'll be seeing of me for a long time. Dec. 15, 2004 - DARRELL ABBOTT's Public Memorial Service: Video Report Available Dallas-Fort Worth's WFAA-TV has posted a video report from the public memorial service Tuesday night (Dec. 14) for slain DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. Watch the two-minute video at this location (Windows Media). According to the Dallas Morning News, a couple of thousand people assembled Tuesday night at the Arlington Convention Center to say farewell to Abbott, who along with four others was shot to death during a Columbus, Ohio, concert last week. Music fans from their teens to their 40s tailgated in the convention center parking lot, blasting the aggressive music of their idol from their car stereos. Later, they filed inside to mourn the 38-year-old Dalworthington Gardens resident in a service expected to last until midnight. "Let us remember his happiness," Nick Bowcott, former guitarist with the metal band GRIM REAPER, told the crowd. "He never lost sight of where he came from. He started as a fan, and he was always a fan." Band videos and home movies were shown, and fans raised their drinks in salute and chanted Mr. Abbott's nickname, a slang term for a $10 bag of marijuana. The funeral Tuesday for Mr. Abbott was closed to the public. However, DAMAGEPLAN's management and record company scheduled the later service so fans could pay their respects to the guitar hero. Dec. 14, 2004 - Report: Fans Mourn Slain Ex-PANTERA Guitarist At Memorial Service Clad in concert T-shirts and puffing on cigarettes, fans of slain heavy metal guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott faced tight security Tuesday night as they lined up to attend a public memorial service. Security guards screened grieving fans with metal detecting wands as they came to pay tribute to Abbott, 38, former guitarist for the band PANTERA. He was shot to death last week in Columbus, Ohio, while performing with his new band, DAMAGEPLAN, at the Alrosa Villa nightclub. Three others were killed before police shot and killed 25-year-old gunman Nathan Gale. Messages such as "RIP Dime" and "Honk, honk for Dimebag, Peace in the after life" were scrawled on cars in the parking lot of the Arlington Convention Center. A high-pitched guitar solo blared from 19-year-old Jennifer White's pickup. White, a "PANTERA" button on her shirt, said Abbott was a legend. "He's just as big as Jimi Hendrix but in a different way," she said. Her friend Skyler Smith, 18, added: "A legend died on Wednesday night. I guarantee I'll be telling my kids about this day and the day that he died. ...My heart was broken." Fans braving near-freezing temperatures cheered the arrival of flower arrangements in the shape of guitars and a display with the words "Crown the Moment, Crown Royal," a reference to Abbott's favorite brand of whiskey. Michael Schaefer, 21, of Garland, and his wife, Raedene, 20, both wore black PANTERA concert shirts."It's still a real shock, the fact that it actually happened and the fact that someone would want to hurt him," Michael Schaefer said. "It's terrible, man. He was the nicest fella you would ever want to meet," said Rick Cunningham, 48, of Euless. Cunningham was one of the few of the thousands waiting in line who wore a suit and tie to the service. Cunningham, a former lead singer for a Dallas band called RAGE, said he'd known Abbott for 20 years. Abbott had formed DAMAGEPLAN with his brother and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott after they left PANTERA. Abbott attended Arlington High School and lived in nearby Dalworthington Gardens. The memorial service was put together by Vinnie Paul Abbott along with Paul Bassman Management Company, Pinnacle Entertainment and AEG Live, South, said Paula McElheney, who is with AEG, a promoter. Dec. 14, 2004 - PHILIP ANSELMO Barred From DIMEBAG's Funeral; JERRY CANTRELL Performs Acoustically BLABBERMOUTH.NET has confirmed that former PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo did NOT attend the the funeral of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott — apparently because he was told that he was "not welcome" at any of the events honoring the late musician who was slain last week at a nightclub in Columbus, Ohio. Anselmo's former PANTERA/DOWN bandmate Rex Brown (bass) DID attend, as did a number of other high-profile musicians, such as Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), Eddie Van Halen, Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS), Mike Inez (ALICE IN CHAINS, OZZY OSBOURNE), Jim Root (SLIPKNOT), Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT), Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT), and Dino Cazares (ex-FEAR FACTORY). Cantrell, Inez and DAMAGEPLAN singer Patrick Lachman reportedly performed acoustic versions of two ALICE IN CHAINS songs ("Brother" and "Got Me Wrong") at the funeral, while Eddie Van Halen gave a speech that included an impromptu playback of a phone message he had received from Abbott at some point before his death. Dec. 12, 2004 - DIMEBAG's Funeral Arrangements To Remain Private; Public Memorial Service Planned - Susan Schrock of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that the family of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, former guitarist for heavy metal band PANTERA, has requested that his funeral arrangements remain private, according to officials at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington. A public memorial service is being planned for: Tuesday, Dec 14 9:00PM Arlington Convention Center 1200 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX 76011 Abbott, 38, and three other people were fatally shot at a club in Columbus, Ohio, last Wednesday by Nathan Gale, 25, who was killed by police. Abbott was performing with DAMAGEPLAN, the metal band he formed with his brother, Vinnie Paul Abbott, after leaving PANTERA. Abbott attended Arlington High School and lived in a two-story brick home in Dalworthington Gardens, where fans have gathered throughout the week to leave tributes to the Grammy-nominated musician. Dec. 10, 2004 - DAMAGEPLAN Issue Statements on DIMEBAG DARRELL, JEFF 'MAYHEM' THOMPSON As has been widely reported in the media, Elektra/Atlantic recording group DAMAGEPLAN suffered a horrible tragedy at their show in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday night. Guitarist Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed, as was the band's head of security, Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson, an employee of the club, Erin Halk, and a member of the audience, Nathan Bray. Chris Paluska, a member of the band's management team who was serving as tour manager, was shot and is in critical but stable condition. John "Kat" Brooks, the band's drum tech, was also shot and is being released from the hospital today. DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul issued the following statement: "With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, Dime will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! Dime gave it all every day to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him...Thanks to all of you for reaching out to us in this time of our immeasurable loss. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DIME!!!!!!" The surviving members of DAMAGEPLAN issued the following joint statement: "Jeffrey 'Mayhem' Thompson was not just a true part of the DAMAGEPLAN family, but part of the whole Dallas music scene. He was friend to all, with a great personality. He bent over backward to help us all with his trademark phrases like 'What can I do for you sir?' and 'Coming up!' He also stated his willingness to protect us, saying 'I'd take a bullet for ya,' and unfortunately did in defense of our lives. He truly lived and died for his friends and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to save ours. For this we will never forget. You will be missed big man." Dec. 10, 2004 - DIMEBAG DARRELL: Career Overview Video, Tribute Page Available MTV has put together a four-and-a-half-minute career overview video dedicated to DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, who was shot to death at a Columbus, Ohio nightclub Wednesday night (Dec. 8). Watch the video here. Meanwhile, Launch has set up a Dimebag Darrell tribute page at this location. Dec. 10, 2004 - Headbanger's Ball' To Feature Reactions From DIME's Friends And Other Bands More information has surfaced regarding this weekend's special edition of MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball" hosted by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. In addition to commentary by Mustaine and regular host Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED), the program, which is scheduled to air this Saturday at 10:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. PST, will feature some of Dimebag Darrell's friends calling in, reactions from fans and bands, plus the latest news on the Columbus tragedy and some DAMAGEPLAN and PANTERA videos. DIMEBAG's Murder: Witnesses Describe Grisly Details Of Gunman's Attack - Dec. 10, 2004 John Futty, Evan Goodenow and Aaron Beck of The Columbus Dispatch have issued the following report: Shortly before DAMAGEPLAN took the stage at the Alrosa Villa, a man approached the band's bus behind the North Side nightclub. He wanted to know if lead guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, were onboard. Aaron Barns, the heavy-metal group's sound man, told him the brothers had already gone in the club. "The next time I see him, he's walking behind the bass player and singer right over to Dime," Barns said yesterday. As the band played its opening song Wednesday night, the man rushed across the stage and grabbed Darrell Abbott, firing several shots into his head from a Beretta 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. The gunman, identified yesterday as Nathan Gale, killed three other people and wounded two before Columbus Police Officer James D. Niggemeyer entered the rear of the club shortly after 10:20 p.m. Carrying a Remington 870, a 12-gauge shotgun, the officer circled a stack of amplifiers and saw Gale, who was at the back of the stage holding a gun to a man's head. From 20 feet away, Niggemeyer killed Gale with a single shotgun blast. His decision to enter the club without waiting for fellow police officers to arrive saved lives, many said. "All of the officers have been trained since the Columbine incident that, if there's shooting going on, to go in and put the pressure on the shooter," Niggemeyer's supervisor, Sgt. Jeff Leesbug, said last night. In addition to the band's guitarist, those whom Gale killed were Nathan Bray, a 23-year-old fan from Grove City; Erin A. Halk, a 29-year-old Northwest Side man who worked security at the club; and Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson, a 40-year-old crew member from Waxahachie, Texas. Wounded in the shooting were Chris Paluska, the band's tour manager, and John Brooks, a drum technician. Both were in Riverside Methodist Hospital last night, where Paluska was in serious condition and Brooks was in good condition. Many in the crowd of more than 400 heavymetal enthusiasts thought Gale was a crew member, a part of the act or an exuberant fan. "He didn't pull out the gun until he got to Dimebag," said Brian Kozicki, the club's lighting director, who watched from the sound booth. People who had known the 25-year-old Gale in his hometown of Marysville described him yesterday as an unstable man who once asserted that the Abbott brothers' former band, PANTERA, had stolen his song lyrics. Some witnesses said Gale fired at Vinnie Paul Abbott but missed and then fired at those who attempted to subdue him. "He probably wouldn't have shot anyone else if other people hadn't tried to stop him," Barns said. Mitch Carpenter, an Alrosa security guard working in the parking lot, said he encountered Gale before the concert and asked him to "park his car and buy a ticket or leave." Gale parked behind the building near the band's bus and was asked to move his car, which he did. The next time Carpenter saw Gale, he was in the club. "He had hopped the fence at the patio," Carpenter said. "He was walking really fast toward the stage and I followed him. "I thought he was going to get up there and stage dive or something during the first song. I figured he was just a guy who didn't have any money to buy a ticket so he got in the way he did. "I've been going over it in my mind, but when he came in I didn't want to tackle him. He was a big guy." Alrosa owner Rick Cautela was tending bar when he heard the shots during the band's opening song, "New Found Power". He thought they were firecrackers. "I heard the music stop and heard more pops. I figured the band had stopped and was going to start again when they grabbed whoever had the firecrackers," he said of security workers. "I just kept waiting on customers." But then audience members ran toward the exits. The panic and confusion can be heard in 10 calls made to 911 operators, beginning at 10:18 p.m., seconds after the first shots were fired. "I'm at the Alrosa Villa and there's a shooting. Someone is shooting the band on the stage," said a female caller. "They're still shooting. The person is still loose with the gun." Kozicki said he took cover in the sound booth and dialed 911 as soon as Darrell Abbott slumped to the floor. He remained on the line with an operator for five minutes, offering details about the chaos and the gunman's actions. A little more than three minutes after his call to 911 began, he told the operator that police had killed the gunman. Kozicki, a student at Bowling Green State University, called the officer's action "100 percent in the right." "If he hadn't done it, more people probably would have been killed," he said yesterday. Niggemeyer had just begun his shift at the 18 th precinct, at Karl and Morse roads — about 2 miles from Alrosa — when the report of a shooting came in. When he arrived at the club about two minutes later, security workers pointed him to the back door. At least five other officers came through another door of the club seconds after Niggemeyer fired. Ultimately, about 60 detectives were at the club, many working overtime. They interviewed about 250 witnesses, putting them on three buses provided by COTA. This is the first time the 31-year-old Niggemeyer, who joined the force in 1999, has shot a suspect. He has a clean record, with many compliments from citizens, said Sgt. Brent Mull, a police spokesman. The division would not release his personnel file yesterday. Band members spent Wednesday night on their bus then went back to Texas, where they're based. "Vinnie crashed in Dime's bunk and was crying," Barns said. Fans of the band created two memorials in front of the club yesterday. Flowers and a bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale were among the items on a large rock beside the club's driveway. A wooden cross with the phrase In memory of the lives lost: RIP December 8th written on it was leaning against a pole. David Moran, a 29-year-old fan from German Village, was among those who placed bouquets of flowers on the rock. He wrote "RIP Dimebag" on the wrapper. "He was one of the best guitar players out there," Moran said. "The music world lost one of its greats." Dec. 10, 2004 - Vigil Takes Place Outside Nightclub Where DIMEBAG Was Murdered: Video Available Columbus, Ohio's NBC4 has posted a video report on the candlelight vigil that took place Thursday outside a nightclub where DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell was killed late Wednesday night. Also included is a separate report on Dimebag's alleged murderer, Nathan Gale, featuring interviews with people that knew him. Watch the video at this location. Dec. 10, 2004 - DIMEBAG's Killer Tried To Pass Off PANTERA Lyrics As His Own Columbus, Ohio's WBNS-10TV has posted a video report examining possible motives for the fatal shootings at the Alrosa Villa club, which resulted the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Watch the video here. Dimebag's alleged killer, Nathan Gale (Photo#1, Photo#2), 25, of Marysville, had a minor police record in Marysville, including driving with a suspended license last month, said Police Chief Floyd Golden. He was pulled over for driving with a suspended license last month. Friends of Gale's describe him as a loner. They say over the past few years his personality changed, and they add that they distanced themselves from him. They say he loved music, and was almost obsessed with the band PANTERA. Two members of PANTERA formed DAMAGEPLAN. Former friend Jeremy Brey says, "We started noticing things. We were having band practice and he came over to sing a couple songs. There were a few he wrote that had PANTERA lyrics and we said you can't do this, these aren't your songs." Gale was a Marine, but friends say he did not show extra interest in guns or violence. Dec. 10, 2004 - Hundreds Of Fans Gather At Club To Honor DIMEBAG DARRELL MTV News is reporting that a small memorial started by a handful of fans blossomed into an outpouring of grief and celebration Thursday, less than 24 hours after the shocking slayings at the Alrosa Villa club where PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and three others were killed. Despite the rain and cold temperature, hundreds of fans gathered outside the weathered metal club to pay homage to their hero. They erected makeshift crosses, laid yellow roses in honor of Abbott's Texas roots and burned candles in his honor, but mostly they shared stories, asked each other why anyone would do such a thing and, perhaps most importantly, they blasted PANTERA's cathartic tunes and shouted their lungs out. Early in the day, during a steady downpour, fans trickled by and propped tributes to Abbott on a large rock at the entrance to the club's parking lot. A six-pack of Heineken shared space with a rain-spattered copy of PANTERA's "Far Beyond Driven" CD, a handful of guitar picks and large Budweiser can that bore the taped-on message "From Joshua Ramey, Diamond Daryl Boggs and Danny 'Party Boy' Jenkins — Never stop rocking and kicking f---ing ass. RIP, brother." In the distance, the venue's marquee still showed DAMAGEPLAN's name. Read more. Dec. 10, 2004 - Video Footage Of Columbus Police Press Conference Posted Online Columbus Police Sergeant Brent Bull spoke to the media Thursday morning about the latest details in the fatal nightclub shooting that resulted in the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Watch video footage of the press conference from WBNS-10TV. Dec. 10, 2004 - Club Employee: I Told VINNIE PAUL To Pray Following Shooting A 20-year-old student who works at the Columbus club where DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Dimebag Darrell was shot dead Wednesday night told Toledo, OH's WTOL-TV that he saw the whole thing unfold. Brian Kozicki, who was doing lighting for DAMAGEPLAN's show, told WTOL-TV he dove under his console and called 911 after the alleged gunman, Nathan Gale, started shooting. "I just told them where I was. There was a gunman firing shots and somebody had been shot and there were more shots being fired as I was talking to them on the phone," Kozicki said. "If the cop wouldn't have gotten there when he did that guy definitely had more ammo," Kozicki told WTOL-TV. "I think he definitely would have killed more people." In the end, Kozicki lost a friend of his Erin Halk who also worked at the club. "It's crazy. He was a great guy, great guy. It's a horrible, horrible thing," said Kozicki. Add to that, Kozicki told WTOL-TV Dimebag's brother Vinnie Paul Abbott was on stage when Dimebag was shot. When it was over, Kozicki had his arm around Vinnie Paul who was in tears. "I let him borrow my cell phone so he could call his dad and tell him what happened," said Kozicki. "I didn't know what to say to him. I just told him to pray." Dec. 9, 2004 - DIMEBAG Shooting Update: New TV Report Available, Audio Of 911 Phone Calls Posted Online Columbus, Ohio's NBC4 TV has posted a brand-new video report on the ongoing investigation into the shooting incident at a Columbus nightclub which resulted in the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Watch it at this location. Also available is a slideshow containing images of makeshift memorials at the club, Alrosa Villa, where the incident took place. Meanwhile, Clear Channel has uploaded a 67-second audio file featuring some of the 911 emergency calls that were placed as the tragic events of Dec. 8 were unfolding. Download the 550KB file in Windows Media format at this location. 12/09/04 - OZZY OSBOURNE: 'I'm Absolutely Beside Myself With Grief' - Ozzy Osbourne has issued the following statement regarding the death of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell: "Dimebag was a dear friend of mine. I'm absolutely beside myself with grief. I can't for the life of me understand why someone would do this. PANTERA toured with me many, many times. I'll always remember the signed guitar that he gave me at my 50th birthday party. My heart goes out to Dime's family, his fans and the other innocent victims who were killed in this senseless tragedy. It's just terribly, terribly sad." 12/09/04 Reports are coming in from Columbus, Ohio, where an alleged shooting occurred at Alrossa Villa, the nightclub where Damageplan was performing tonight. The earliest reports indicate that Dimebag Darrell and one other band member were among those killed. The following is posted at the Web site of WCMH TV Channel 4, the NBC affiliate in Columbus at http://www.nbc4i.com/news/3983630/detail.html (video report here) At Least 5 Dead, 2 Wounded In Nightclub Shooting Witnesses: Alleged Guman Went Onto Stage, Fired Shots POSTED: 10:32 pm EST December 8, 2004 UPDATED: 1:40 am EST December 9, 2004 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At least five people died and two others were wounded after a shooting at a Columbus nightclub on Wednesday night, NBC 4 reported.The shooting took place shortly after 10 p.m. at Alrosa Villa, located at 5055 Sinclair Road.Two members of the heavy metal band Damageplan were reportedly shot and killed, including Dimebag Darrell, formerly with the band Pantera, NBC 4's David Wayne reported. The other band member's name was not released. The alleged gunman also died at the scene, Wayne reported.Columbus police Sgt. Brent Mall said the alleged gunman appeared to be targeting the band members. After shooting at the stage, the gunman opened fire on the crowd. At that point, an officer shot man dead, Mall added. Police said there could have been many more fatalities had the officer not killed the gunman.Shortly after the band began playing its first song, a man reportedly ran onto the stage and began shooting, according to a witness who identified himself as Sean. Some members of the audience reportedly thought the man running onto the stage with a gun was part of the band's act, NBC 4's Erin Tate reported.Witnesses said that several shots were fired at the band. Witnesses said that a bouncer at the club tackled the alleged gunman before that person was shot and killed.NBC 4 reported that of the surviving victims, one person was in critical condition while the other was in fair condition. Several others were treated at the scene, suffering from various injuries.Alrosa Villa is a popular north Columbus nightspot for young adults, featuring rock and heavy metal bands, NBC 4 reported.According to the band's Web site, Damageplan was touring nationally. It performed in Buffalo, N.Y., on Tuesday night and had a concert scheduled in Flint, Mich., on Thursday.Damageplan featured former Pantera artists Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. The pair were joined by vocalist Patrick Lachman and bassist Bobzilla, according to their Web site. CNN.com has also posted the following article which includes eyewitness accounts: Gunman kills 4 at Ohio nightclub Police officer shoots suspect to death Thursday, December 9, 2004 Posted: 2:12 AM EST (0712 GMT) COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNN) -- A gunman opened fire Wednesday night during a heavy metal concert in Columbus, killing four people -- including at least one member of the band -- and critically wounding at least two others before a police officer shot and killed him, according to Columbus police.The attacker leapt onstage as the group, Damageplan, performed, and began "targeting members in the band," Sgt. Brent Mull said.Two others were injured in the incident, although the nature of their injuries was not clear.According to eyewitness accounts, the gunman initially shot and killed the band's guitarist, Dimebag Darrell. Darrell, 38, and his brother, Vinnie Paul, 40, are former members of Pantera -- a group they formed in the 1980s. Their father is Jerry Abbott, a country and western songwriter and producer.Police were notified of the shooting at the Alrosa Villa nightclub on the city's north end around 10:18 p.m. ET, Mull said. A uniformed police officer who was in the area slipped into the venue from a back entrance, confronted the gunman during the rampage and killed him."If not for the officer who showed up, there would have been more dead," Mull said.Police have roped off a huge area of the nightclub's parking lot, as 60 detectives question hundreds of witnesses. Police have brought in buses to keep the witnesses warm as they wait to be questioned.Calvin Bota said he saw the shooting from the mosh pit right in front of the stage, shortly after the band began playing."Somebody came -- I don't know where they came from, out of the audience or whatnot -- but they come onto (the) stage and ... he shot the guitarist at first, fired a couple of other shots and then he hid behind the stage a little bit," Bota told WSYX."Everybody started scattering, you know, there's mayhem everywhere. And then a police officer came into the building, you know, came in professional with his gun raised and then he proceeded to shoot the guy."Gerald Caudill told WSYX the gunman shot the guitarist at least four times."I was up close to the stage and I just saw some guy run up on the side of the stage and I heard some shots and I saw (drummer) Vinnie Paul and somebody jumped on top of Vinnie, and the guy just stayed around the stage and started shooting other people," Caudill said."I saw wounded people all over the place, out in the parking lot, inside," he said. "It just didn't sound like gunshots or anything, it didn't occur to me that something like that was happening." CNN Producer Steve Brusk in Columbus contributed to this report. WCPO-TV Channel 9, the ABC affiliate in Cincinnati, posted another report at http://www.wcpo.com/news/2004/local/12/08/columbus_shooting_ap.html, which includes comments from a law enforcement official and additional first-hand accounts: Five Dead, Two Injured In Columbus Nightclub Shooting Reported by: A.P. Web produced by: Neil Relyea Photographed by: 9News 12/9/2004 12:23:15 AM A man opened fire in a crowded nightclub during a rock concert Wednesday night, killing at least four people and wounding at least two others before he was shot to death by police, authorities said.A man walked on stage during the show at the Alrosa Villa and opened fire on band members, killing four people and wounding at least two others, said Columbus police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull, adding that more people could have been shot and left the scene before authorities arrived.Mull said a police officer shot and killed the gunman. It wasn't immediately clear whether the officer was already at the show or had responded to an emergency call.Columbus resident Chris Couch, 22, said the shooting occurred about 30 seconds after the show's headliner, DAMAGEPLAN, had begun playing.Couch, who was standing about 30 feet away from the stage, noticed a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and hockey jersey walk up to the stage, followed by a bouncer and another club employee.The man in the jersey climbed onto the stage, started yelling and shot the guitarist five or six times at close range, Couch said.Couch said the gunman also shot a bouncer who pulled him off the musician.At that point, Couch and a friend headed for the exit along with a tide of hundreds of fans.It appeared the gunman purposely sought out the guitarist, whom Couch identified as a performer who went by the name "Dimebag Darrell."Authorities didn't immediately provide the identities of the victims."It was definitely a grudge. It was against something," Couch said.Amanda Stankus, 19, who attended the show with Couch, said she initially thought the shooting was part of the show."I just saw the guitarist fall down, and we decided to get out of there," said Stankus, of Columbus.Stankus said she didn't see any metal detectors or uniformed police officers at the venue and that she wasn't searched or frisked on her way in. WBNS-10 TV in Columbus first posted the following information on their Web site at http://www.wbns10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2668923&nav=LUERTzwc: Reports of a shooting at Al Rosa Villa on Sinclair Road in North Columbus.Three people are dead and at least seven are wounded.Three people in critical condition were taken to Riverside Hospital.One person was taken to Grant Hospital in stable condition, with a gunshot wound to the thigh.A triage center has been set up behind the restaurant to help victims with minor injuries still on the scene.