Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee on surviving random Las Vegas shooting: “I am one lucky motherfucker”
Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has said he is “doing well” after being caught up in a random shooting.
The incident took place in Las Vegas on Tuesday (October 15), when the 67-year-old musician was hit three times in a shooting. It took place approximately 10miles from the Las Vegas Strip, and Lee was caught in the scenario when he was standing in his driveway, about to walk his dog at 2am (as per Las Vegas Review-Journal).
He was reportedly shot in the forearm, the back and in the foot. The bullet in his back led to his rib being broken, however, the outlet claims none of the shots hit any vital organs. Police were called by his neighbours after the shots were heard, and the guitarist’s dog was unharmed.
Local authorities are currently investigating the shooting, and both they and Lee’s management have said that they believe the incident was “completely random”.
Lee was reportedly taken to the intensive care unit and was said to be fully conscious and “expected to fully recover”.
Now, former Guns N’ Roses and Sixx:A.M. guitarist D.J. Ashba has taken to his social media platforms to share an update – posting an image of a text conversation he had with Lee.
“Please tell me you’re okay??” Ashba wrote to Lee after hearing about the shooting. Lee responded: “Doing surprisingly well. I am one lucky mother fucker. Just make sure your bday bash is wheelchair accessible! Just jestin’.”
Ashba replied: “So fn thankful you’re ok! Naha! U got it bro!”
Lee’s management team have said: “No further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time.”
The guitarist performed in Osbourne’s solo band between 1982 and 1987, contributing to his albums ‘Bark At The Moon’ (1983) and ‘The Ultimate Sin’ (1986). He also joined the Prince Of Darkness on numerous tours.
The guitarist later joined heavy metal band Badlands with former Black Sabbath member Ray Gillen. In 2013, he formed the group Red Dragon Cartel. Additionally, Lee has released music as a solo artist – including his debut album, 1996’s ‘A Fine Pink Mist’.
Speaking to TMZ, Osbourne explained: “It’s been 37 years since I’ve seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn’t take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him today. It’s just another senseless act of gun violence. I send my thoughts to him and his beautiful daughter, Jade. I just hope he’ll be OK.”
A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department had earlier confirmed that “no arrests [had] been made” at the time.
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Liberty Dunworth
NME
