Darrell Lance Abbott, better known by his stage name Dimebag Darrell, was an American musician. He was the guitarist for the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, both co-founded with his brother Vinnie Paul. He is regarded as one of the greatest metal guitarists of all time. In 2004, he was murdered in Columbus, Ohio, while performing with Damageplan. He was shot twice in the head and four times in the body. The perpetrator of the murder, Nathan Miles Gale, was shot dead on the scene by police officer James D. Niggemeyer minutes after the killing, while holding a staff member hostage.