Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has spoken of dismay over the news that his former guitarist Jake E Lee was shot multiple times in Las Vegas, describing it as a “mindless act”.
Jake E. Lee, best known for being Ozzy’s axeman, is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds in hospital following the incident.
“It’s been 37 years since I’ve seen Jake E. Lee,” Ozzy said. “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.”
A representative for Lee said: “Jake was shot multiple times early Tuesday morning while taking his dog out for a walk in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Jake is now fully conscious and doing well after the attack … though, he’s currently in an intensive care unit in a hospital in Vegas.
“He is expected to make a full recovery.
“Authorities investigating the case do not currently believe Jake was targeted in the bout of violence … as they believe the incident around 2:40 AM was a “completely random” street shooting.
“Jake and his family ask for privacy as the guitarist recovers from his injuries.
Lee left his mark on Ozzy’s classic albums like 1983’s Bark at the Moon and 1986’s The Ultimate Sin .”
He had taken over as Ozzy’s lead guitarist in 1982 after Quiet Riot founder and Ozzy collaborator Randy Rhoads’ tragic death as a result of an aviation accident.
The shooting occurred while Lee was outside walking his dog and is believed to be “completely random.”
According to a statement from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, “Officers arrived and located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to the hospital.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time, police said.
Lee, 67, a veteran rock guitarist, founded the heavy metal group Badlands with former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Eric Singer.
He formed his own band Red Dragon Cartel in 2013.
Following news of the shooting, friends and fans took to social media Tuesday to wish the musician a smooth recovery.
“Thinking of and praying for Jake E Lee,” Mark Strigl, who hosts an Ozzy Osbourne channel on SiriusXM, said.
“Wishing my friend, Jake E. Lee a full and steadfast recovery,” agent David Maida posted on X.
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