6 Killed as Jet Crashes into Residential Area in San Diego

Six people were killed when a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego early Friday morning, authorities confirmed.

The aircraft, a Cessna 550 Citation, struck a power line before crashing near Murphy Canyon at approximately 3:47 a.m. local time (10:47 GMT), according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The jet was just 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from its intended destination, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

Federal records show that the aircraft was registered to Dave Shapiro, a prominent music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group, whose clients included Canadian rock band Sum 41 and singer Vanessa Carlton.

The NTSB said all six people on board — including Shapiro — died in the crash. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office identified three of the victims as Dave Shapiro, 42; Emma Hyuck, 25; and Selena Kenyon, 36.

In a statement, Sound Talent Group expressed deep sorrow over the loss, saying, “We are heartbroken by the loss of our founding partner, colleagues, and friends. Our thoughts go out to their families and everyone affected.”

Audio from air traffic control communications revealed the pilot had expressed concern about low visibility before attempting to land. He was heard saying, “It doesn’t look good, but we’ll give it a shot,” just moments before the crash.

The aircraft struck power lines, triggering a blaze that spread to several nearby homes and vehicles, forcing approximately 100 residents to evacuate. Emergency crews worked quickly to contain the fire and secure the area.

Dan Baker, an NTSB investigator, confirmed during a press conference that the pilot and all passengers suffered fatal injuries upon impact.

Roughly 10 homes were damaged by debris or fire resulting from the crash. While the exact cause is still under investigation, officials noted that the pilot did not report any mechanical issues or emergencies to air traffic control before the crash.