Jake E Lee, renowned for his guitar work with Ozzy Osbourne, fell victim to a shooting incident in Las Vegas.
According to Fox News, the musician was struck multiple times in what appears to be a random act of violence while walking his dog in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred around 2:42 a.m. on October 15 in the 11000 block of Alora Street. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire and found Lee suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The guitarist was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Despite the severity of the attack, Lee's management has confirmed that he is expected to make a full recovery. The musician is currently receiving care in the intensive care unit of a Las Vegas hospital, where he remains fully conscious and in stable condition.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the rock music community, with fans and fellow musicians expressing their concern and support for the guitarist. Lee's representative emphasized that the attack appears to be entirely random, occurring during what should have been a routine early morning dog walk.
Las Vegas authorities are investigating a shooting, but no arrests have been made yet. The motive and identity of the perpetrator remain unknown, and police have not provided additional details due to the ongoing investigation.
Jake E Lee is best known for his tenure as lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne from 1982 to 1985. During his time with Osbourne, Lee contributed to two significant albums: "Bark at the Moon" and "The Ultimate Sin." His guitar work on these records helped solidify Osbourne's solo career in the wake of his departure from Black Sabbath.
Following his departure from Osbourne's band, Lee went on to form the heavy metal group Badlands and later established Red Dragon Cartel in 2013. His distinctive guitar style and technical prowess have earned him a dedicated following in the hard rock and metal genres.
Lee's relationship with the Osbourne camp has not been without controversy. In recent years, the guitarist has spoken about disputes regarding songwriting credits, particularly for the "Bark at the Moon" album. Lee claims he was not properly credited for songs he reportedly wrote for the record.
The guitarist revealed that he had been contacted by Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife and manager, around 2010 regarding a potential reunion. However, discussions stalled when Lee brought up the issue of songwriting credits. He stated:
I said if we're going to go forward, I want to fix the one problem I've had since the very beginning. I said I would like my name on the songwriting credits for 'Bark At The Moon.'
The conversation reportedly ended without resolution, and the reunion never materialized.
As news of the shooting spreads, fans and fellow musicians have taken to social media to express their shock and offer well-wishes for Lee's speedy recovery. Lee's management has requested privacy for the guitarist and his family during this challenging time. They have expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and the music community at large.
The shooting of Jake E Lee highlights the random nature of violent crime and its impact on public figures. As the guitarist begins his recovery, the music world watches and waits for updates, hoping for a full return to health for the talented musician. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability we all face, regardless of fame or status.
