Jake E. Lee, former lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, was shot several times during an early morning stroll in Las Vegas.
Lee was critically injured while walking his dog but has a positive prognosis for recovery, Fox News reported.
The musician was walking his pet at approximately 2:42 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, when the incident happened. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital's intensive care unit, where he remains in stable condition.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is actively investigating the shooting, which took place in the 11000 block of Alora Street. Authorities believe the attack to be a random act, as there's no apparent motive tied to the victim.
No arrests have been made so far. The police have called on witnesses to come forward to help piece together the events leading up to the attack.
Spokespersons from Lee's management team confirmed the details of the incident. They stated, "Jake E. Lee is fully conscious and doing well, given the circumstances. We expect a full recovery."
The rock community and fans worldwide have shown an outpouring of support for Lee. Messages and well-wishes flood social media platforms, hoping for a speedy recovery for the legendary guitarist.
While known for his robust performances and musical creativity, Lee's condition after the event is particularly harrowing for those who know his history and influence in the music industry.
This statement was released by Jake E. Lee's management following the incident:
Las Vegas authorities believe the shooting was completely random and occurred while Lee took his dog out for a walk in the early morning hours. As the incident is under police investigation, no further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time.
Lee's robust career spans several decades, playing a pivotal role as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne during the early to mid-1980s. His particular style and contributions have left a significant mark on the rock genre. After parting ways with Osbourne, he participated in various musical projects, including Badlands and his current band, Red Dragon Cartel.
Years after his tenure with Osbourne, Lee was almost brought back for a reunion. Around 2010, discussions emerged about him rejoining Osbourne for possible live performances and an album, but disagreements over past credits halted these plans.
Detailed in his past statement, Lee expressed ongoing discontent with how songwriting credits were handled with Osbourne's team, which ultimately soured potential reunion plans:
Well, I’d gotten a call from Sharon, and being Sharon, she actually managed to find me. She tracked my phone number because I swear there were maybe a handful of people that had my phone number. Somehow she called me at home, and she told me that Ozzy was having problems with Zakk, and they were looking to replace him and if I’d be interested in doing some festivals and quite possibly the next record. I can’t let sleeping dogs lie. 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.’ And [Sharon] said she’d call me back the next day, and she didn’t. So I took that as a no.
The LVMPD continues its investigation without a suspect in custody. Meanwhile, Jake E. Lee's management has requested privacy during this time and will not issue further comments until there is significant progress in the case.
As Lee fights for his recovery in the hospital, his contributions to music remain celebrated by fans and peers alike, all of whom hope for his swift and complete recovery from this unforeseen trauma.
