Jake E. Lee, the legendary former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, was the victim of a near-fatal shooting in Las Vegas early Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024. Lee, known for his work in the 1980s on iconic albums such as Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, was shot multiple times while walking his dog around 2:40 a.m. in what Las Vegas Metro Police believe to be a random street shooting. The 67-year-old rock veteran is currently in the ICU at a Las Vegas hospital, where he is reportedly conscious and expected to make a full recovery.
Lee’s representative confirmed the incident to media outlets like Fox News Digital and CNN, stating that the guitarist is recovering well despite the severity of the situation. The statement emphasized that the shooting appears to have been random, and no arrests have been made so far. The Las Vegas Police Department is actively investigating the case.
The news of the shooting shocked the rock community, with Ozzy Osbourne issuing a statement expressing his dismay over the “senseless act of gun violence.” Osbourne, who hasn’t seen Lee in nearly four decades, sent his thoughts and well-wishes to Lee and his daughter, Jade, hoping for his recovery.
Lee is best known for joining Osbourne’s band in the early 1980s following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads. Beyond his time with Osbourne, Lee formed the bands Badlands and Red Dragon Cartel, solidifying his place in heavy metal history. Fans and fellow musicians alike are rallying behind him as he recovers from this traumatic event.
