'American Idol' Star Alex Miller’s Drummer, Mark Laws, Killed In Shooting — The Singer's 'Devastating' Reaction

A heartbreaking loss rocked the country music world over the weekend, shaking an artist to his core.

Mark Laws, the longtime drummer for "American Idol" alum Alex Miller, was fatally shot on May 25, 2025, in Claiborne County, Tennessee. The 62-year-old musician was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving everyone shocked and mourning his sudden and violent passing.

According to a statement released by the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office on May 26, deputies responded to a shooting at a residence on Old Pearman Road in Cumberland Gap.

When detectives arrived, they discovered that Laws, a resident of Harrogate, Tennessee, had died at the scene. Authorities arrested Maxwell Alan Madon, 25, who was later charged with criminal homicide.

The shocking news drew immediate attention, especially among fans of Miller, who rose to fame after his appearance on the reality singing competition. Laws had been an integral part of the country singer's musical journey, accompanying him at performances and playing a pivotal role in his sound.

On May 27, Miller took to Instagram to share his grief, "My heart is truly broken at the passing of my drummer Mark Laws. My grandad once told me that you'll have lots of friends in your life, but finding a true friend is something that is rare and special."

He continued by expressing how much Laws meant to him and called his death "devastating," while asking his followers to pray for the late drummer's family.

This tragedy has left a void not only in Miller's life but also in the broader country music community. At this time, we offer our sincere condolences to Laws' family and loved ones.

Sadly, Laws isn't the only drummer who lost his life this past month. As previously reported, David Williams, 39, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, was killed in a small plane crash in San Diego. The crash occurred just after 4 a.m. on May 22, setting fire to a section of residential housing owned by the U.S. Navy.

According to TMZ, Williams' father, Larry Williams, confirmed that his son was aboard the aircraft, a Cessna, which went down in a neighborhood not far from Naval Base San Diego. The fiery impact destroyed one home and left several residents on the ground injured.

His father said the family is certain Williams was on the plane and there were no survivors. However, the official confirmation from authorities is still pending. The lack of formal words, he added, has deepened the family's anguish.

The band Williams once powered with his thunderous drumming also confirmed his passing. On social media, The Devil Wears Prada shared several images of Williams in his element, behind the drum kit and among his bandmates. A simple caption read: "♥️ no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever."

The news has sent shockwaves through the music community, especially among fans who followed Williams through his tenure with the band. Just hours before the fatal crash, Williams took to social media to document what would be his final flight.

Posting to his Instagram Stories, he shared photos from inside the small aircraft. One image showed a section of him in the co-pilot's seat. The caption read, "Here we gooooo [sic]." Another image, taken from inside the pilot's cockpit was captioned, "Hey. Hey…you…Look at me… …I'm the (co)pilot now."

Williams' father later addressed the posts, noting that his son was simply "goofing around." He clarified that Williams did not hold a pilot's license. The Cessna aircraft, which has a capacity of up to 10 passengers, went down under still-unclear circumstances.

Authorities have not yet released the exact number of people aboard at the time of the crash. San Diego officials stated that not all families of the victims have been notified. They offered no timeline for when those notifications would be complete. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Though no longer with The Devil Wears Prada, Williams remained a towering figure in the band's history. According to his family, his drumming played a critical role in the group's rise to prominence in the metalcore scene. His contributions spanned years, shaping the band's sound and leaving a lasting imprint on fans and fellow musicians.

The shock of his death has rippled across the music world. For many, Williams was more than a drummer — he was part of a movement. His raw energy, sharp precision, and on-stage presence defined an era for the band.

The tragedy has also touched another corner of the music industry. Dave Shapiro, 42, talent agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), was among the passengers on the ill-fated Cessna.

A statement from STG confirmed his death, calling it a devastating loss. "Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy," a spokesperson said.

Shapiro, a respected figure in artist management, was also a certified pilot and owner of Velocity Aviation. Known for mentoring new pilots and managing major music acts, he was on board with two STG colleagues when the plane crashed in San Diego's Tierrasanta neighborhood.

One neighbor, whose home was near the crash site, recalled the terrifying moment authorities arrived. "The police officer came into our door and knocked on the door," he said. "As soon as I saw a police officer and he told me about like there's a big incident going on, instantly my mind went to, I have to get my family out of here."

For families in the area, it was a morning that began with fear and ended in disbelief. May the departed souls rest in peace.