BEVERLY HILLS— Music and real estate executive John Atterberry, the former Vice President of Death Row Records and best known for working with Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera and The Spice Girls, has died at age 40 after succumbing to gunshot wounds he sustained in a Hollywood shootout on the morning of Friday, December 9.

Record and Real Estate executive John Atterberry. Photo courtesy of his Facebook page.

During a shooting spree at the intersection of Sunset and Vine that injured two others, 26-year-old Taylor Brehm approached Atterberry who was sitting in his parked vehicle and shot him multiple times, striking him in the face and upper torso.  According to an LAPD news release, Brehm continued shooting at vehicles and in the air before being confronted by LAPD officers.  After refusing to drop his weapon and pointing it at an officer, Brehm was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department were called to the scene and transported Atterberry to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills where he was listed in guarded and critical condition until he was pronounced dead Monday afternoon.

According to the Facebook page for nightlife special event company Gridlock Group where Atterberry served as a senior partner and chief financial officer, the Los Angeles native got his start in the entertainment business working for Taut Records.  He went on to become the Head of Marketing and Promotions for fashion brands Cross Colour and Karl Kani.  Not long after, Atterberry became the Vice President of Death Row Records, a music label that was once home to rap’s biggest names such as Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.

In subsequent years, Atterberry went on to create his own record label where he represented Rodney Jerkins and “Rush Hour” actor Chris Tucker and produced deals with Def Jam, Arista, Ruthless Records and Sony Music.  Atterberry also went on to create L.A. music publishing company Infusion Music Group and worked on albums with artists such as Jackson, Aguilera, Brandy, The Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson.

Real estate was also a passion of Atterberry’s as he helped build condominiums and single-family home developments in Los Angeles, Brentwood and Lancaster while serving as Vice President for A.C.R.E.S. Development.

Outpours of condolences from friends and colleagues have been posted on Atterberry’s Facebook page.  Shaunie O’ Neal, ex-wife of former NBA player Shaquille O’ Neal and a friend of Atterberry’s, tweeted “RIP John keepin the Atterberry family n my prayers” on her Twitter page.

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