So I was doing my usual morning blog reading when I ran accross this over at Michele's site (A Small Victory):

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A gunman charged onstage at a packed nightclub and opened fire on the band and the crowd, killing top heavy metal guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (search) and three other people before a police officer shot him to death, authorities and witnesses said.

Full story on Fox News

Damn, he was one kick ass guitar player and part of one of the greatest metal bands ever. Every time I've seen Pantera live it was an insane show, and his playing was the driving force (not to mention his brother's drumming, who is also in the new band).

They were starting their first song on the set when this asshat went buckwild. I can't imagine how his brother Vinnie is doing after having to watch his brother being murdered in cold blood in front of a club full of fans.

24 years to the day that a deranged fan shot and killed John Lennon. Too bad the cop killed him - we may never know what the hell this death spree was about...

Update from NBC4i: Police Identify Gunman as Nathan Gale, 25, of Marysville

Pantera website, Damageplan message boards, Dave Mustaine comments