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Nathan Gale (1979 – 8 December 2004) was a native of Marysville, Ohio, USA, who was shot dead by law enforcement in the aftermath of a multiple homicide.
Gale was a 1998 Marysville High School graduate. He served in the United States Marine Corps from February 2002 until November 2003, but did not serve his full term. The circumstances of his discharge are unknown, but Gale served as an auto mechanic with the 2nd Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
On December 8, 2004, he stormed the stage during a Damageplan concert at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, and proceeded to shoot and kill guitarist Dimebag Darrell, formerly of Grammy-nominated heavy metal band Pantera. Following this, he turned the gun on those who had rushed the stage to stop him, killing audience member Nathan Bray and club employee Erin Halk, as well as Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson, a member of the band's security entourage. He also wounded the band's tour manager and drum technician.
Nearby Columbus police officer James D. Niggemeyer quickly responded and killed Gale with a 12 gauge police issue shotgun after a hostage that Gale was holding managed to move out of the way.
Gale's motive for the killings may never be known, though some witnesses state that he shouted something about the breakup of Pantera before he started shooting. Those who knew him claim that he was a huge fan of the band, and that he'd shown recent signs of mental instability. While in the USMC, he was given medications for his mental problems. Writings found in Gale's possession indicate that he may have suffered from schizophrenia. Some say that he even once "held" an imaginary dog. A tattoo enthusiast, Gale is alleged to have started an unprovoked argument earlier in the day at Bear's Den Tattoo Studio in Marysville, over the unwillingness of the shop to order a tattoo machine for him. Gale played semi-pro football for the Lima Thunder, and was known to have listened to Pantera music in preparation for each game.
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