Report: Victim's Family Remembers Alrosa Villa Shooting On Second Anniversary

December 8, 2006

Columbus, Ohio's NBC 4 reports:

Friday (Dec. 8) marked the second anniversary of a fatal nightclub shooting that claimed four innocent lives in Central Ohio.

Family members and friends remembered the shooting at the Alrosa Villa nightclub, NBC 4's John Ivanic reported.

Police said Nathan Gale, a former Marine, rushed the stage Dec. 8, 2004, and shot and killed renowned heavy metal guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, along with three others who tried to intervene.

One of the victims — Erin Halk — was working at the nightclub.

At Halk's gravesite, friends and family members left flowers on the anniversary, to remember the 29-year-old man.

Halk was a graduate of Upper Arlington High School and had served in the Marine Corps.

NBC 4 spoke to Halk's brother about remembering Erin — who died on the stage trying to keep others safe.

"He died as a hero. That's what a lot of people are saying, and I just thank God he saved other people and he did go above and beyond for other people and that's the type of person he was," said Chris Halk, the victim's brother. "I feel really privileged Erin has such wonderful people, wonderful friends and that nobody is forgetting this day."

Police said Gale, 25, of Marysville, was still shooting and had taken a hostage when Columbus police Officer James Niggemeyer entered the nightclub and killed Gale with a shotgun blast while the suspect still had the hostage in his arms. Investigators later said Gale had 35 bullets left.

"That guy is a hero, too. He had to do what he had to do, unfortunately. But he is a hero as well, and I love him for it," Chris Halk said.

A Franklin County jury cleared Niggemeyer of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

Gale had told his mother and a former employer that he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic before he was discharged from the Marines in October 2003, two years into a four-year stint. Military records do not mention mental illness as the reason for the discharge.

Gale was a fan of Abbott's former band PANTERA, nominated for a Grammy in 1994.

Watch the NBC 4 report on the two-year anniversary of the Alrosa Villa shooting at this location.

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