Veteran guitarist Jake E. Lee, known for his impactful contributions to Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo career, has announced a significant development in the investigation into the shooting incident he endured last fall. Lee revealed that the two individuals allegedly responsible for shooting him near his Las Vegas home in October 2024 have been apprehended and are slated for sentencing next month.
The shocking attack occurred on the morning of October 15, 2024, when Lee was preparing to walk his dog in his driveway. The guitarist sustained multiple gunshot wounds—one to his forearm, another to his back which fractured a rib, and a third to his foot. Miraculously, none of the bullets struck vital organs, and his dog emerged unharmed from the incident. Authorities later recovered approximately 15 shell casings at the scene, and a neighbor, alerted by the gunfire, took immediate action by securing his children, retrieving a firearm, and contacting emergency services.
Lee, now 68, shared this critical update in a social media post confirming his participation in the upcoming “Back To The Beginning” all-star concert in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This event will serve as a poignant final performance for both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. “Just confirming I’m playing in Birmingham on the 5th of July,” Lee wrote on Friday, June 27th, adding a touch of personal flair: “In fact I believe I’ll be first at bat, which means [my dog] Coco has to be up at 7:00am [in Las Vegas] to watch Pops [as part of the pay-per-view livestream]!”
Expressing his excitement for the collaborative event, Lee remarked: “I’m thrilled to be sharing the stage with top tier musicians. I won’t name cause you never know until the curtain rises, but will confirm once we have our rehearsal next week.”
He concluded his message with the crucial news regarding his assailants: “Oh, btw, the two that shot me have been caught and face sentencing next month. The gun was tied to two previous murders so my case is almost an afterthought. They’re going bye bye for a long time. On that happy thought, see ya on TV!”
Jake E. Lee, born Jakey Lou Williams on February 15, 1957, in Norfolk, Virginia, established himself as a prominent American guitarist through his distinctive work with Ozzy Osbourne, appearing on the seminal albums Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986). His fiery guitar style, a blend of bluesy hard rock riffs and virtuosic solos, defined a significant era for Osbourne. Following his tenure with Osbourne‘s band, Lee formed Badlands, releasing several well-received albums. He later re-emerged in the spotlight with his band Red Dragon Cartel in 2013.
