New details about death of DIMEBAG DARRELL ABBOTT revealed
On Thursday, the Associated Press released details concerning a new police report on the curcumstances surrounding DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott's tragic murder. The report compiled nearly 300 witness interviews in a 627-page report.
According to details of the report during DAMAGEPLAN's concert in Columbus, Ohio, 25-year-old Nathan Gale inflicted a gun shot wound upon the tour manager, Christopher Paluska when Paluska tried to prevent the crazed fan from climbing up on the stage. Paluska was then helped to the side of the stage where he witnessed Abbott get shot in the head three times at close range.
Paluska was one of three people shot who survived. Another, stage technician John Brooks, wrestled with Gale who pinned him as a hostage as police moved toward the stage.
Officer James Niggemeyer then killed Gale with one shotgun blast while he was holding Brooks hostage. Brooks told investigators although he didn't hear Niggemeyer fire at Gale, he felt Gale's grip weaken and hurried off the stage.
Niggermeyer was cleared before a Grand Jury of any wrong doing. An investigation revealed Gale had 35 bullets remaining in his gun.
During the ensuing mayhem, drummer Vinnie Paul hid behind amplifiers and lead singer Patrick Lachman jumped and screamed into the microphone for someone to call the police.
Winesses say they saw Gale sneak a handgun into the venue before he unleashed a fury of 9mm bullets.
Gale previously told both his mother and a former employer that he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic before he was discharged from the Marines in October 2003, two years into a four-year stint. Military records do not mention mental illness as the reason for the discharge.
Gale was a known obsessed Pantera fan, and was unhappy over the groups split. Reports have it that he claimed the band stole lyrics from him.
Date: 2005-10-21
Author: Darren Cowan