Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has issued a statement following the shocking news that his former guitarist, Jake E. Lee, was shot multiple times in a random act of gun violence in Las Vegas. The incident occurred early in the morning on October 15 while Lee, 67, was out walking his dog. Authorities have confirmed that the shooting appears to have been entirely random and not targeted. Thankfully, Lee is currently in stable condition, fully conscious, and is expected to make a full recovery.
In a message released to *The Independent*, Osbourne expressed his shock and sorrow over the news:
**“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’s representatives issued a statement to *Fox News Digital*, confirming the details of the incident and his current condition:
**“As confirmed by management, legendary rock guitarist Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, Red Dragon Cartel) was shot multiple times early this morning in a Las Vegas, NV street shooting. Lee is fully conscious and doing well in an intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital. He is expected to fully recover.”**
They added that the case is under active investigation and requested privacy for Lee and his family during this time.
Jake E. Lee’s career has been marked by both extraordinary talent and turbulent turns. Born on February 15, 1957, in Norfolk, Virginia, he was raised in San Diego, California, where he developed an early passion for music. He formed his first band, Teaser, before joining the San Diego-based version of Mickey Ratt in the early 1980s—a band that would later become the glam metal outfit Ratt.
Lee’s reputation as a gifted and innovative guitarist grew quickly, leading him to play in a variety of bands across the Los Angeles metal scene, including Rough Cutt and a short-lived stint with Ronnie James Dio. But his big break came in 1982, when he was recruited by Ozzy Osbourne to join his solo band following the tragic death of guitarist Randy Rhoads.
Lee’s guitar work helped shape Osbourne’s sound in the mid-1980s, particularly on the albums *Bark at the Moon* (1983) and *The Ultimate Sin* (1986). Tracks like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebel,” “So Tired,” and “Shot in the Dark” showcased 
Despite his success, Lee’s time with Osbourne came to an abrupt end in 1987. The reasons for his dismissal were never entirely clear, with Osbourne later stating there were no personal issues between the two, but that Lee had reportedly fallen out of favor with drummer Randy Castillo and bassist Phil Soussan.
After parting ways with Osbourne, Lee formed the blues-metal band Badlands with vocalist Ray Gillen. Though critically praised, the band struggled commercially and disbanded in the early 1990s. Lee then kept a relatively low profile before re-emerging with the band Red Dragon Cartel in 2013, which marked a return to form and reintroduced him to a new generation of rock fans.
The news of Lee’s shooting has rattled the rock and metal community, with fans and fellow musicians expressing concern and support across social media platforms. It also underscores the troubling rise in random acts of violence across the United States—a point that Osbourne made painfully clear in his statement. The Black Sabbath frontman, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health and community safety in recent years, labeled the shooting as part of a larger epidemic of gun violence that continues to claim innocent lives.
While Lee is on the road to recovery, the investigation into the attack is ongoing. Las Vegas authorities have yet to identify a suspect or motive, and have urged anyone with information to come forward. For now, Lee’s family is asking for privacy as he heals.
Despite the tragedy, the outpouring of support from the rock community reflects the lasting impact Jake E. Lee has had on music. Whether through his groundbreaking work with Ozzy Osbourne or his own musical ventures, Lee’s contributions to heavy metal are indelible—and the hope now is that he makes a full and swift recovery.
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