Guitarist Brian Montana, known for being part of the death metal pioneering band Possessed, was shot and killed by police on Monday, April 28, following a confrontation between him and his neighbor. The situation escalated quickly, unfolding into a standoff with police.
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According to the
South San Francisco Police Department, the incident took place at around 5:52 p.m. Police officers responded to an Arroyo Drive residence after receiving reports of a suspect, Montana, brandishing a weapon at his neighbor. As per police, Montana allegedly began firing at his neighbor's house, prompting police to request backup.According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the incident was triggered by an altercation between Montana and his neighbor over tree debris.
What followed was a standoff between Montana and the police that lasted for about 25 minutes.
"The armed suspect repositioned into a neighboring driveway and fired multiple times at officers using a handgun, shotgun, and rifle—taking cover behind vehicles and landscaping," police said in a statement. "Officers used patrol cars as cover and returned fire."
While returning fire, police managed to shoot Brian Montana, who was pronounced dead at the scene. No police officers were injured, and one resident of the house Montana was allegedly shooting at suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The two officers who fired their weapons were placed on administrative leave, following Officer Involved Shooting protocols.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is currently investigating the incident.
Brian Montana And Possessed
Brian Montana was an early member of the metal band Possessed. It is considered by many as one of the first death metal bands in history. His guitar can be heard on the band's 1984 demo called Death Metal, with the name properly names the genre. Montana would quit the band before their first full album release, Seven Churches, citing issues with fellow guitarist Mike Torrão.
"I left the band because Torrao had a terrible attitude problem and wouldn't stop ragging at me," Montana told Voices From the Darkside. Torrão had issues with his image. "He didn't think I was evil enough or something. He was always ragging on me to wear an upside-down crucifix and be satanic."
Possessed would go on to release three studio albums, three EPs, one live album, and three compilation albums. The band is currently active, with the only early member still in the band being vocalist Jeff Becerra.
