But in an AP report today things get stranger:
- The man who shot former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and three other men to death at a nightclub was obsessed with the heavy metal band and made bizarre accusations against the group, a one-time friend said.
Nathan Gale apparently believed Pantera musicians were trying to steal his identity and the lyrics to songs he had written, former friend Jeramie Brey told The Columbus Dispatch in Friday's editions.
....Brey and former friend Dave Johnson said they had become frightened by Gale's behavior and distanced themselves from him several years ago. By that time, Johnson said, Gale had begun talking and laughing to himself and once appeared to be holding an imaginary dog.
"He used to be Pantera's No. 1 fan and has liked them for as long as I've known him," Johnson told the newspaper. "After a while something happened. He just kind of snapped. He went from being a cool guy to being a guy you didn't want to be around."
Johnson said he met Gale, known as Nate, in the late 1990s through a mutual friend in their hometown of Marysville, about 25 miles northwest of Columbus. They shared a love of rock music, held jam sessions and attended concerts together.
Brey recalled that Gale once showed up at his house with some songs he had written, but the words appeared to be copied from Pantera. Gale told Brey he planned to sue Pantera over the lyrics and for stealing his identity.
More on the shooting:
- Gale dodged two band members, grabbed Darrell Abbott and shot him at least five times in the head.
"He grabbed Dimebag with one hand and shot him with the other," said Kevin Minerd, among the 500 people packed into the smoke-filled nightclub to see Abbott's new band.
In less than five minutes, Gale had shot three others, including Erin Halk, 29, a club employee who loaded band equipment; fan Nathan Bray, 23, of nearby Grove City; and Jeff Thompson, 40, a bodyguard for the band.
Article comments
1 - jackson
dime bag was the reason i started playing guitar, and when i was younger i wish that i could one day own one of his guitars. Two years ago i got my dream and now own a dime bag darrell dime bolt and i also got to see my idol play in brisbane australia and i must say it was the best time of my life seeing him play.
dime bag brother u will be miss by many
and ur music will not only go down in history but u are the king of metal guitar playing and your music will always be a part of me and my guitar playing. I wish dime bag's family all the best and vinne don't stop playing brother let the music live on !!
2 - Tim Hall
It does sound as though the killer might have been an undiagnosed paranoid schitzophrenic (sp?)
3 - Andrew Ian Dodge
I am just glad the bugger is dead...he won't hurt anyone else now.
4 - Martin Berkey
DimeBag is a legend, listening to Pantera is what helped me stay motivated to move on in the Marines, i am disgusted that the killer used to be a Marine. we have more discipline than that, which is probably why he got kicked out. My heart goes oyt to Dimebags, family, Panter, and Damageplan. I am sorry to hear that this happined. Its a Big Tragedy.
5 - felix diaz
i am still sad for that nameless crime,i face thhis life saying to myself "stay heavy" and the sound of his guitar with the heaviest band in the world PANTERA brought me the strenght for that,sorry Dime Vinnie and all the people affected and their families,wherever you are Dime stay heavy!!!!!!!!
6 - Moco
I'm still devastated!!!! How? Why? Gale doesn't deserve to be called a Pantera fan. To blame Dime for Pantera breaking up is just unthinkable, or anyone in Pantera for that matter. The Pantera guys just took seperate directions in their lives and im sure there would be a reunion at one point in the future. Now Gale ruined that. Just think about it man, no more Dime, no more Pantera. Gale you mother f***ker
I think there should be a tribute to Dime, he deserves that!!!! And i'm sure anyone in the world of metal would help out.
Dime, when i die and meet you in metal heaven the jacks (or cuervos)are on me dude!!!! R.I.P.
7 - Eric Olsen
there is a public memorial today, as well as foundations setup in Darrell's name - see here for informaion
8 - Karen Stickney
I think Nathan Gale was mad at Dimebag for collabortating with Nickelback. Doesn't anyone agree with me?
9 - mike
bimebag came to rock and he rocked like no others R.I.P Dimebag
10 - Steve-o
Dimebag was and still IS the best guitarist out there. I started playing when I discovered him.. I am also from Texas myself and born in the same city as him, Dallas. It has been a long time since this happened and I still am shocked. Dimebag Darrell got me through Iraq as a soldier and gets me through the day as a civilian. Dime, may you rest in peace and smoke one for me.. As for Nathan Gale, I need to find his grave so I can piss on it. Shouts to all of the metal and Dime fans out there.
"I don't want to be burried in a well preserved body. I want to slide in sideways at 70 mph, on fire, with holes, and shooting, saying to myself, "Holy shit!! that was one hell of a ride"
R . I . P . DARRELL LANCE ABBOT "DIME"
11 - ireneeee
ok dime was an inspiration to all of us and for him to go that way was just horrible!
12 - mongo
i feel that the marines should show some more responsiility for what happened .the marines are training people everyday in counter terrorism isn't that the same as showing how to commit terrorism and should what he did be considered an act of terrorism.
13 - LoL that sucks
man they should really get better security, getting shot for no reason really sucks.
maybe metal bands should wear bullet proof vests next time lol......
14 - Lucas
Dude, i want to cry.i miss Dimebag!!
15 - fukc pantera
hahaha!! at last!! all of you people just forget him... mind the MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE im emo!!wa hahahah
16 - vaJENNAmo
FUCKYOU EMO!