Moments after sharing photos of himself in the cockpit of a private jet, former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams was killed when the plane went down in a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday.

According to the Daily Mail, the crash of the Cessna 550 killed both Williams and music agent Dave Shapiro, injured eight others on the ground, and destroyed multiple homes in a densely populated military housing area.

The crash occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Pacific Time in a residential neighborhood near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego. The area is known for its proximity to military families and includes both single-family homes and townhouses. Emergency responders described a chaotic and dangerous scene upon arrival.

Photos posted hours before fatal flight

Williams had posted two photos on Instagram just hours before the accident. One showed him seated at the controls of the plane with the caption “Here we gooooo,” while another suggested he was the "co-pilot now." It is not confirmed if he was assisting in flying or merely joking.

The aircraft involved was a Cessna 550 registered under the tail number N666DS. It took off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey late Wednesday at 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time. The jet made a brief fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, landing at 1:49 a.m. Central Time and departing again less than an hour later.

Records from FlightAware indicate the aircraft was en route to Montgomery-Gibbs, with a scheduled arrival time of 3:47 a.m. Pacific. The plane never made it. Instead, it crashed just two miles from its destination, crashing into a tightly knit suburban community around 3:50 a.m.

The music agent and pilot were also killed

Also killed in the crash was Dave Shapiro, a respected figure in the music industry and co-founder of Sound Talent Group. Shapiro, who also held a pilot’s license, had purchased the plane in July of the previous year. His involvement with dozens of bands and booking tours made him a widely admired industry veteran.

The private agency confirmed three of its employees were on board, but only Shapiro was formally identified in their public statement. “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends,” the company said. “Our hearts go out to their families and everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”

Williams, 39, had been living in San Diego, which was the planned destination of the flight. The drummer had gained notoriety for his role in Christian metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada and was remembered fondly by fellow musicians and fans alike.

Dozens of homes were damaged, and families were displaced

The crash left a path of destruction, damaging or burning at least 10 homes and igniting vehicles on both sides of the street. Jet fuel reportedly flowed down the street, worsening the intensity of the blaze. A total of eight people suffered injuries, though it remains unclear if all were located on the ground at the time of the explosion.

Among the injured was a family of five who were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Another resident was hurt while escaping from a window, and two more people were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Police also managed to evacuate several pets, including three husky puppies that were transported in a wagon.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the tragic sight in stark terms. “I can't quite put words to describe what the scene looks like,” he said, noting that jet fuel and flames engulfed the street. Emergency crews worked quickly, and more than 50 officers helped relocate at least 100 residents to a nearby elementary school for temporary shelter.

Weather and hazards possibly contributed

Officials are investigating possible causes of the crash, including whether the private aircraft might have struck a power line. Weather conditions may have played a role as well. San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy noted that the area was “very foggy” at the time of the accident, and visibility was severely limited.

First responders found debris littered across the area, scattered by the force of the impact and ensuing fire. Investigators with federal aviation authorities are expected to examine flight records, maintenance logs, and weather data in the coming days. No official cause of the crash had been released as of Friday morning.

This crash adds to a history of aviation accidents in the San Diego area. In 2021, a twin-engine jet went down under similar conditions. In 2008, a military F/A-18 fighter jet crashed into a home, also killing multiple people. These incidents have prompted debates over flight safety in densely populated urban corridors.

The music industry reacts to a sudden loss

The deaths of Williams and Shapiro triggered an outpouring across the music community. Ryan Bruce, a music producer, reflected on his memories of the pair and their contributions. “Dave changed mine and a lot of other people’s lives,” Bruce said. “Daniel left us a lot of music to remember him by, and he was a super sweet guy.”

Other industry professionals posted condolences on social media. “Rest in peace, Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, and everyone on that flight,” said Terrance Coughlin, a music executive. “Some of my very first shows were booked through Dave… Gone way too soon.”

Williams, who left The Devil Wears Prada years earlier, remained close to the music scene and was known for his generosity and upbeat personality. Shapiro, meanwhile, had been instrumental in building artist rosters and managing tours nationwide.