Veteran music agent Dave Shapiro, 42, was among six people killed when a small private jet went down in flames early Thursday morning in Murphy Canyon, a military neighborhood of San Diego. Shapiro was flying in his personal jet—registered in his name—when it crashed under circumstances that remain under investigation. Three of the victims have now been identified as employees of Sound Talent Group (STG), the agency Shapiro co-founded in 2018.
Shapiro launched STG alongside Tim Borror and Matt Andersen after honing his skills at The Agency Group and United Talent Agency. Over the last seven years, he built an impressive roster that spanned heavy rock, pop and emo. Among his clients were Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, Story of the Year, Eve 6, I Prevail, Set It Off, Silverstein, Parkway Drive, Hanson and Vanessa Carlton. He also served as a partner at Velocity Records, where he worked with Concrete Castles, Craig Owens and Thursday, and was a founding member of the National Independent Talent Organisation (NITO), which provided crucial support during the pandemic shutdown of live music.
A licensed pilot, flight instructor and ground instructor, Shapiro’s passion for aviation often made headlines among his peers. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, he had more than 15 years of flying experience. His aviation business, Velocity Aviation, offered flight training, aircraft leasing, ferry services and scenic flights. Friends say he never shied away from a thrill—whether it was BASE jumping, aerobatics or helicopter tours, Shapiro lived for the sky.
In the aftermath of the crash, STG released a statement confirming the loss of three team members: “We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.” The agency, with offices in San Diego, New York and Nashville, asked for privacy as it coped with the sudden loss.
Shapiro is survived by his wife, Julia Pawlik, a forensic scientist from Perth, Australia. The couple met years ago at Southern California’s Self Help Music Festival and married shortly thereafter. Shapiro’s Instagram feed, now frozen in tribute, is dotted with photos of the two traveling the world—often with Julia dressed in safety gear during one of Dave’s many airborne adventures.
News of Shapiro’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media from the artists he championed. Pop-rock trio Hanson wrote, “Dave was fearless in life, and tireless in his work, and the kind of friend you would want on your speed dial… Our hearts go out to Dave’s family and the team at Sound Talent Group.” Fit for a King frontman Ryan Joseph Kirby added, “People don’t understand how much of an impact Dave Shapiro had on the alternative music scene. RIP, you truly made this scene a better place.” Former Palisades vocalist Lou Miceli Jr. reflected, “His name was synonymous with the scene. My heart breaks for everyone lost in this tragic accident.”
Leaders at NITO credited Shapiro’s vision and financial commitment for helping independent agents and artists navigate the sudden halt of concerts and festivals during the COVID-19 lockdown. “Dave was instrumental in the initial formation and funding of our organization, and assisted countless peers successfully navigate the pandemic shutdown of live music,” the group said in a statement.
As investigations into the cause of the San Diego crash continue, the music world mourns the loss of one of its most daring advocates. Dave Shapiro’s legacy—in both the air and on the stage—will live on through the careers he helped launch, the concerts he made possible, and the countless musicians who found in him not just an agent, but a devoted friend.
