Former Possessed guitarist Brian Montana has been killed in an armed standoff with police in the US.
The San Mateo Daily Journal reports that the incident began when the musician got into a dispute with his neighbour over a tree that had branches and leaves falling into Montana’s garden.
According to the outlet, Montana began shooting firearms during the altercation – which occurred in San Francisco, California just before 6pm on Monday (April 28).
When the police arrived at the scene, the guitarist started firing at the authorities. A press release from the South San Francisco Police Department states that Montana “fired at officers from different locations within the driveway while seeking cover and concealment using both vehicles in the driveway and landscaping”.
Two officers fired their weapons during the standoff, leaving Montana dead at the scene. He was 60 years old.
One person from the home that the suspect was shooting at suffered a non-life-threatening injury during the incident, and was subsequently transported to a local trauma hospital.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said: “On the shooter’s side, there was some alcohol involved. His death is a tragedy, but it’s fortunate that nobody else wasn’t hit or injured more seriously.”
The press release notes that “this investigation is still active”, adding: “Information could change as the investigation continues.”
The rest of the document reads:
“South San Francisco Police Department in conjunction with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office is actively investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 28, 2025 at about 5:52 pm. at a home on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. South San Francisco Police Department received a 911 call regarding an active disturbance where a suspect was brandishing a firearm at a neighbour on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. Officers began arriving on scene at 5:55 pm and immediately requested additional units because the suspect with the firearm was now actively shooting into an occupied residence. The suspect then re-positioned himself into a driveway of that neighbouring residence and concealed his location behind parked vehicles while still armed.
“Over the next 25 minutes, the suspect armed himself with three different types of firearms (handgun, shotgun, and rifle) and fired at officers from different locations within the driveway while seeking cover and concealment using both vehicles in the driveway and landscaping. Officers used police vehicles as cover from the barage of gunfire and were able to return fire. Officers were able to strike the suspect, effectively preventing him from continued shooting at officers and nearby residences. Once the suspect was confirmed he was no longer a threat to officers, an approach to take him into custody was made and he was found to be non-responsive. Life saving measures were performed and medical personnel were called to the scene. The suspect succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“One resident from the home that the suspect was shooting at sustained a non-life threatening injury and was transported to a local trauma hospital. Nearby residences were also checked and officers confirmed no one else was injured. No officers were injured during this critical incident.
“We are able to confirm there are two officers who fired their weapons. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is customary in Officer Involved Shooting protocols.
“In the coming weeks, we intend to release additional information, including audio and video recordings.
“Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the South San Francisco Police Department.”
Montana played in US death metal band Possessed from 1983 to 1984. The band had formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1982.
The late guitarist did not contribute to any of the group’s studio albums, but he does feature on their 1984 demo ‘Death Metal’. Following his departure from Possessed, Montana became a member of the band Abnormal, appearing on their sole demo ‘Demon-Stration’ (per Consequence).
Responding to the news of Montana’s passing, Possessed shared an old photograph of the musician on their Instagram Stories along with the caption: “Rest in peace Brian Montana.” In a later upload, they wrote: “Very tragic news. Our sympathies to the Montana family and friends.”
Possessed released their third and latest album, ‘Revelations Of Oblivion’, in 2019 – more than three decades after their first two records: ‘Seven Churches’ (1985) and ‘Beyond The Gates’ (1986).
In 2021, the group’s vocalist and bassist Jeff Becerra walked again for the first time in over 30 years. He had been held at gunpoint and shot twice in an armed robbery in 1989, leaving him paralysed from the chest down.
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