Posted on 12/12/2004 10:39:34 AM PST by LadyShallott
About 200 people attended a private, two-hour service Saturday for shooting victim Nathan Bray at a funeral home in his hometown of Circleville, about 30 miles south of Columbus.
"He'll be in my heart forever," family friend Sherri Jordan said afterward.
Funeral services for Erin A. Halk, age 29, of Columbus, were scheduled for Monday (12/13) at
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Clintonville.
As most fans rushed for the exits after the nightclub shooting that killed five people Wednesday night, a few tried to help and comfort the victims, witnesses and police say.
Those included Nathan Bray, a fan who was trying to save the life of Damageplan guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott before being shot and killed himself, a witness said. A service for Bray,
23, was held Saturday.
"When he (Abbott) was laying on the stage, a group of people jumped up there to try and help him," said Adam Vanover, 45, of Bellefontaine.
Bray was leaning over Abbott, holding him and trying to perform CPR, Vanover said.
"When he (Bray) looked up at the shooter that's when the shooter shot him," Vanover said.
Another concertgoer, Billy Clark of New Carlisle, told the Springfield News-Sun for a story Saturday that after Abbott was shot, he jumped a railing and tried to pull Abbott to safety, but he heard more gunfire and hid behind speakers.
Clark said he and some friends moved Abbott behind the speakers and they recruited others to carry him out of the club.
"I kept telling them that 'Dime' was still a target and we had to get him out of there," Clark said.
He said he checked Abbott for a pulse but could not find one.
Columbus police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull confirmed that fans and others attended to the victims before emergency crews arrived, but he could not comment on what happened before police got there.
Abbott, Bray and two others were killed as Damageplan began playing at Alrosa Villa on Wednesday night. Police shot and killed the gunman, Nathan Gale, 25, of Marysville.
Gale also killed Erin Halk, 29, a club employee who loaded band equipment, and band bodyguard Jeff Thompson, 40.
Another band employee injured in the shooting, drum technician John Brooks, was released from Riverside Hospital on Friday. Tour manager Chris Paluska was in stable condition.
Linda Moore, 42, of Columbus, attended the concert with her 21-year-old son. She said she was about 10 feet to the side of the stage when Gale began shooting.
She said few people had a good view of what happened immediately after the shootings because towers of loudspeakers obscured the people onstage. She also was trying to get herself and her son out of the club.
She took issue with those who said they heard Gale yell at Abbott about the breakup of Pantera, his old band. She said the music was so loud, no one could hear anything else.
"You don't need anything to tell you that except what the science is of decibels," Moore said.
My husband and I lived in Circleville for years. Prayers for the family and prayers for the tragic death of this young man. As a part of the small town community in Circleville, you will be missed. God Bless-
Nathan Bray, fan, died trying to save Darrell Abbott (below) from gunshot wounds.
"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, musician
some people here have gone so far to say that these people deserved to die because they were members of the heavy metal community.
RIP Nathan Bray & Darrell Abbott
We'll miss you and the club-goer's who were killed..those kids were brave in trying to save you,
prayers to the abbott,bray and halt families
In my own humble opinion, there are very few people who should be gunned down. Heavy metal or not. He wasn't a criminal, he was a fan. He was a young man and a father. God Bless those who grieve during this tragedy. I know they need it. Thanks for the comments. I second that thought.
"In my own humble opinion, there are very few people who should be gunned down."
And, sadly, except for the killer, these folks are not amoung that group. It makes you wonder about security at such events, the guy was able to bring a gun into this concert and kill serveral people. I worry about these things because my daughter attends such events, but I guess it's worth worrying about no matter where you go these days.
you know its a thrill in a musician's life to hang with guys like darryl Zakk and others..and its a shame because i plan on making it to the big leagues of metal myself..and i would love just to meet some of those guys in person dave mustaine was saying last night thats there's a HUGE misconception that metalheads are nihilist,evil,and whatnot...thats simply not the case..were full of love,example: im producing a band right now with my younger brother as there drummer. and even though there not metal..id do anything for any of em..,
life's too short to hold grudges and be angry. you gotta try to be happy as best you can..and lead a good life and set examples for others,and believe it or not alot of metal bands have the same feelings
Black Label Society SDMF forever
Dan
i think the security was too lax..we got the same deal at harpo's at detroit i hope they at least check from now on.
"I will pray for your daughter."
Thank you! There's never been a problem anywhere she's been, but these little suburban places are a bit scary.
But of course when I was young I went to some pretty wild concerts too. I have yet to recover from seeing the Grateful Dead at Englishtown, NJ. And that was 30 years ago!
Those included Nathan Bray, a fan who was trying to save the life of Damageplan guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott before being shot and killed himself,'
'Gale also killed Erin Halk, 29, a club employee who loaded band equipment, and band bodyguard Jeff Thompson, 40.'
'some people here have gone so far to say that these people deserved to die because they were members of the heavy metal community.'
Jhn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
I'm not a heavy metal fan, and didn't know a thing about this band, but the body guard that was killed was also a body guard and occasional bodhran (Celtic drum) player for a Celtic group known as The Rogues, and appeared on one of their CD's (Made in Texas). Our family, the kids especially, is a fan of The Rogues. I don't know if anyone has posted this, but a tribute was posted on The Rogues' website today. It's written by one of the band members, Nelson Stewart, a teacher for most of the week in Canada, who comes down every week-end when the group is playing. It's very poignant. This man did not deserve to die, and neither did the others.
More pictures of 'the gentle giant' are down at 'Images of the better times'.
Definition of a Good Soul - Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson
'...Anybody that has ever met Mayhem can only have good feelings about him... God had to give Jeff the body of a giant because that was the only one large enough to hold his heart....'
'....A hero, they say, is the kind of person who runs towards danger while everybody else is headed in the opposite direction. On Wednesday, December 8, at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, you just know that while everybody else in the room was trying to get away from the horror unfolding before them, Jeff Thompson was going straight at the man with the gun. I'm sure that Mayhem didn't even pause to think about the danger... his only concern would be the safety of his friends. Loyalty, courage, kindness, selflessness... if these qualities don't make a hero I don't know what does.....' http://therogues.com/Mayhem/
We are deeply saddened here tonight as well. Such a senseless tragedy. Life is a precious gift that shouldn't be treated so callously. Prayers for all. God Bless you as well.
RIP Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson
Wow. Thanks for posting the pic. I don't know how to do it. We're still talking about it here. My daughter said she lay awake until 3 in the morning thinking about it. So sad for all involved. Thanks again.
I am not sure everyone understands what exactly happened that night!
IT HAS BEEN REPORTED that this lowlife scum Nathan Gale Jumped a fence on the side of the building and made his way to the stage and started shooting.
It is really annoying me that almost everyone concerned with the security part of this thinks this lowlife scum paid at the door to get in!
I am a firm believer that pat downs and detectors should be placed at the entrance ways so that we, the heavy metal community do not lose another legendary Icon like Dimebag or awesome supporters such as Nathan Bray.
May all that perished that night rest in peace!
Part of the metal community for 31 years....
(V)uzaq(V)an
yea i know,i heard how he got in..one of the bouncers saw him but didnt get to him at time
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