Heavy metal star shot dead

An acclaimed heavy metal guitarist was among four people shot dead by a hooded gunmen yesterday after he leapt on stage during a gig.

'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott who was playing with the band Damageplan, was the attacker's main target.

The gunman, Nathan Gale, 25, shot Mr Abbott six times at close range before killing three fans and wounding two. A police officer then shot him dead.

Mr Abbott, 38, was formerly a member of acclaimed heavy metal band Pantera, who split up last year.

Fans said Gale angrily shouted at the guitarist: 'You broke up Pantera' as he jumped on stage.

Police officer James Niggemeyer confronted Gale as he held a hostage in a headlock and was attempting to flee. The officer shot him as the hostage, who was unharmed, struggled free.

Around 200 concertgoers fled from the venue in Columbus, Ohio, when the shooting started during the first song.

Chris Couch, 22, said it was obvious that Mr Abbott was the main target of the gunman, who wore a hooded sweatshirt. 'It was definitely a grudge,' she said.

Pantera were revered by fans of aggressive, modern metal and influenced bands including Korn and Slipknot.

They were shortlisted for Grammies for best metal performance for I'm Broken, in 1995, and Revolution Is My Name, in 2001.