I attended the concert where Dimebag Darrell was shot, back in 2004. Ask me anything

What did you do that night when you got home and how did the next couple days feel for you?

Well, since I fortunately made the right call in getting the hell out of there, I avoided being killed or seeing any of the really traumatizing bloodshed. If you haven't already read up on the rest of the incident, an officer had to kill the perp with a close-range gunshot blast. Supposedly, it affected the officer strongly and he retired or changed careers not long afterward. So the next few days were ok. I definitely know where the exits are when I go to crowded places now

Did the shooter go on stage or did he shoot from the crowd? Did people scatter immediately or was there an attempt to subdue the shooter?

I didn't see all that went on, but people mostly stayed put, and some wrestled with him, until he put someone in a headlock, pointing the gun at the person's head. This is what the first officer saw when he entered from behind the stage, making the difficult decision to take the perp out with a shotgun blast.

When did people realize what was happening, and how did they respond?

I looked like people knew pretty quickly that something was wrong- but I didn't notice anyone looking to leave and get away from the danger. They were more curious than anything. And of course, most didn't realize the severity of what just happened, and wanted to get a closer look.

Did you get a refund?

Haha, they may have given out refunds, but I honestly can't remember.

I am thinking about using the ticket stub to make some sort of framed memorial, like those displays you would see at a Hard Rock Cafe.

Up until the shooting, how was the band (specifically dime) playing?

The shooting occurred right at the opening seconds of the first track, so it was too early to tell.

Did you get a glimpse of the shooter? How was he acting? Also when did you realize that someone had been shot?

Even though the Alrosa Villa is a small club and we were only about 20 rows back, it is very dark inside. So I did not get a glimpse of the shooter. I actually wasn't certain of people being shot- but I saw blood running down a guy's shirt and knew at the very least there was a nasty stabbing I didn't want to be involved with.

What do you think about the reason behind the shot ?

From what I've read, the motive is unknown. Some say he mentioned something about Pantera's break-up, and may have been pissed about how Damageplan had departed from conventional metal in favor of their newer approach.

I was a huge Pantera fan growing up. DD death hit me pretty hard. Did you know what was going on when it happened? Did everyone pannic and rush out of the venue?

Damageplan had just begun their opening song, so the chaos at first was confusing- their were some loud firecracker sounds, (which were actually gunshots of course) but we thought it was part of the act. But it was confusing for everyone, since the guitar playing stopped, and you just had noise and feedback.

Most people stayed around to see what was going on- the last thing you think in your mind is that there are people being picked off with a semi-automatic handgun.

How long did it take you to get out of the venue? Did the crowd panic? Did you exit through the same door you came in (I've read that in a panic, people forget that there are multiple exits and go toward the door they used to enter, creating a logjam)?

There was definitely some serious confusion and panic. I actually did leave out one of the side exits, directly into the gravel parking lot. The club is so small that my car was only a minute to walk to. '

So I trusted my gut and got the hell out of there, despite my buddy begging to stay and see what had happened. As I started my car, numerous police cruisers came racing into the parking lot w/ sirens blaring, so it felt awkward driving past, but exhilarating to know I had dodged a bullet (almost literally).

Did your buddy stay or did he come with you? If he stayed, was he ok?

He left with me, so he's grateful.

How many people were in the crowd that night? I have never been able to find an answer for that online.

I looked for that online too, but couldn't find anything. One of the smaller concert venues I've been to

Had you seen Damage Plan or Pantera perform live before that?

Yes, I had seen Pantera open up for Black Sabbath back in 1999 for their Reunion Tour. (One of many reunions, haha). I recall Pantera being heavy as hell and calling everyone in the crowd a bunch of fuckers, which was amusing. This was at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I collected a couple of guitar pics Pantera threw out, and it was a great show.

I’m late but, where were you? I was good friends with their security guard’s little brother.

We were about 20 rows of people back, just at the back of the pit. Wearing all black, like 95% of the people there, haha.

Mayhem (Jeff) was my friend’s big brother. He shoved Vinnie away before putting his hands on the shooter and getting shot a few times in the chest.

Wow. Sorry to hear that. I can't imagine being in that situation.

What is your favorite band nowadays?

I don't really have a favorite, but Hellyeah is up there.

How old were you back then?

23 or 24

Do you still go to concerts? Has it affected your ability to enjoy concerts afterwards? Is it something you think about when you’re at a show, where you find yourself checking to see how security is?

Fortunately, I don't think I developed much PTSD from the incident.

When the gunshot bangs sounded and people were looking around confused, a wave of "mass hysteria" spread throughout the room. I forget the actual term, but there's a psychological phenomenon that occurs when something awful happens. Essentially, the anxious facial expressions spread through a crowd, even though the people in the back who cant see whats happening, they know there's something stressful occurring.

So when I saw the super-anxious looks on people's faces, and hearing the music had stopped, my gut told me that either someone got stabbed up, or worse. Then, I saw a guy come pushing back through the pit area- he was wearing a white t-shit with a long blood stain streaming down his chest.

This is when I decided to leave- Since I had driven my buddy and I to the show, he knew I was his ride, and he begged me to stay longer to see what had happened.

I kept walking out and almost had to leave him behind. As I started my car in the parking lot, I heard and saw a stream of about 5-6 cop cruisers come racing in with flashers on. It was a huge relief and my buddy knows he was a dumb-ass to want to try and stay in there longer

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Lol, why don't you ask that question to the person who requested I do this AMA.