šøĀ LAS VEGAS, NV ā Legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee, best known for his blistering work with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands, survived a terrifying late-night shooting incident outside his Las Vegas home. The musician, who was critically injured after being shot multiple times, was reportedly confronting a pair of thieves when the violence erupted. Crucially, in a moment of quick-thinking heroism, Lee managed to ensure the safety of his beloved dog, Coco, who emerged from the horrifying ordeal unharmed.
The attack, which occurred in the early morning hours of October 15, 2024, began when the guitarist encountered two masked individuals who were reportedly casing or attempting to steal a neighbor’s motorcycle in the driveway. Leeās decision to intervene led to a confrontation that escalated rapidly and violently.
The Shooting and the Escape
According to initial police reports and subsequent detailed social media posts from the guitarist himself, the suspects opened fire after the confrontation. The shooter “emptied his clip” on the 67-year-old musician, with investigators later finding 15 shell casings at the scene.
Lee was struck three times: once in his forearm, once in his foot, and a third shot in the back that reportedly broke a rib and damaged a lung. Despite the immediate and life-threatening danger, Lee’s first instinct was to protect his pet.
āI threw my end of the leash at Coco and yelled to go home. He did. Heās a good boy,ā Lee shared with fans after the incident, revealing that the gunman may have initially been aiming at his dog. The fortunate escape of Coco was a small, bright spot in an otherwise horrific event. A neighbor, hearing the barrage of gunfire, grabbed his own weapon and called 911, leading to an immediate emergency response. Lee was rushed to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center and was placed in the Intensive Care Unit.
Suspect Apprehended
While initial reports confirmed that no arrests were made immediately following the shooting, the ensuing investigation became a high-priority case for the Las Vegas Police Department. Following an intensive manhunt utilizing forensic evidence, witness testimony, and neighborhood surveillance, authorities successfully identified and apprehended the suspected gunman and his accomplice.
The arrest brought a measure of relief to Lee’s community and the wider rock music world, which had rallied behind the guitarist during his recovery. The charges against the suspects are expected to be severe, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, reflecting the extreme violence of the attack.
A Long Road to Recovery
The outpouring of support from fellow musicians, including former bandmate Ozzy Osbourne and Poisonās Bret Michaels, underscored Leeās stature in the industry. While his injuries were seriousāparticularly the damage to his lung and the gunshot wound to his fretting armāLee has maintained a defiant and positive attitude.
He later confirmed that the damage to his left forearm was “minimal,” having fortunately missed any major bones or the elbow joint, allowing him to focus on a full recovery. Though the journey back to full health and performance is long, the capture of the suspect allows the guitarist and his family to focus entirely on healing and the simple comfort of having his loyal dog, Coco, safe at his side.