Jake E. Lee, a former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, was involved in a shooting incident in a Las Vegas neighborhood in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Las Vegas police reported that the incident took place around 2:40 a.m., about 10 miles south of the Strip. Following the incident, Lee was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
A spokesperson for Lee confirmed the incident, stating that the 67-year-old musician was conscious and expected to make a full recovery. Amanda Cagan, the spokesperson, disclosed that the shooting occurred while Lee was walking his dog. She also requested privacy for Lee and his family as the police continue their investigation into the incident.
Tim Heyne, the manager of Lee’s rock band, Red Dragon Cartel, expressed relief that no major organs were hit and that Lee is expected to recover fully. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the police investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Lee, born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in San Diego, has been a significant figure in the rock music scene since the 1980s. He played guitar in several glam metal bands in Los Angeles, including an early version of Ratt. Lee joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1982 and remained a member until 1987, contributing to albums such as 1983’s “Bark at the Moon.” After his stint with Osbourne, Lee played in the metal band Badlands and released a few solo albums.
Osbourne expressed his shock at the news of Lee’s shooting, despite not having seen him for 37 years. He described the incident as another senseless act of gun violence and expressed hope for Lee’s recovery. In 2022, Osbourne, the original vocalist for hard rock pioneers Black Sabbath, announced his decision to move back to England after living in Los Angeles for over two decades, citing his frustration with the rampant gun violence in the United States.
Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, revealed in July that Ozzy’s health issues, including multiple surgeries and a Parkinson’s diagnosis, have delayed their relocation plans.