Former Ozzy Osbourne Guitarist Jake E. Lee Says He’s Doing ‘Surprisingly Well’ After Las Vegas Shooting
Written by djfrosty on October 17, 2024
Two days after being shot multiple times while walking his dog in Las Vegas, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee said he was “one lucky motherf–ker.” In a text exchange with former Guns N’ Roses and Sixx:A.M. guitarist D.J. Ashba shared on the latter’s Instagram Stories, Lee said he was on the mend after the shock attack.
“Yooooo! Please tell me you’re okay??” Ashba texted his friend. “Doing surprisingly well. I am one lucky mother f–ker,” Lee responded. “Just make sure your bday bash is wheelchair accessible! Just jestin’. Ashba was glad t hear the good news, writing, “So fn thankful you’re ok! Haha! U got it bro!”
Lee, 67, was shot three times in an attack that took place early Tuesday morning at his home about 10 miles from the Las Vegas strip. According to TMZ reporting at the time, Lee was shot around 2:40 a.m. while walking his dog and was hospitalized and was reported to be fully conscious while being treated in the intensive care unit.
Trending on Billboard
Police said they did not believe Lee was targeted, chalking the shooting to random street crime; the incident is under investigation with no arrests reported so far.
“Lee is fully conscious and doing well in an intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital. He is expected to fully recover,” a publicist for Lee told Billboard. “Las Vegas authorities believe the shooting was completely random and occurred while Lee took his dog out for a walk in the early morning hours. As the incident is under police investigation, no further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time.”
Osbourne expressed sympathy for his former guitarist in a statement to TMZ, telling the outlet, “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.”
Lee played guitar in Osbourne’s band from 1982-1987 following the death of beloved guitarist Randy Rhoads, appearing on the former Black Sabbath singer’s solo albums Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), as well as being a member of the heavy metal band Badlands. He released the solo albums Retraced and Guitar Warrior in 2005 and 2007, respectively, and after what he dubbed a “self-imposed exile from the music industry” he returned with a band called Red Dragon Cartel, who released a self-titled album in 2013 followed by 2018’s Patina.