A Tragic Shootout: The Fatal Encounter of Brian Montana, Ex-Guitarist of Possessed
Metal musician, once part of band Possessed, met tragic end via police gunfire incident
On a fateful April evening in 2025, music lost one of its own when Brian Montana, a 60-year-old former guitarist of the legendary death metal band, Possessed, was involved in a lethal confrontation with law enforcement in South San Francisco. Here's a closer look at the unfortunate events that transpired:
The Unsettling Dispute
The trouble started when Montana found himself at odds with a neighbor over tree debris encroaching on his property. This minor disagreement escalated into a dangerous standoff, with Montana brandishing a firearm[2][3].
The Chaotic Clash
Upon arriving on the scene, officers discovered Montana firing shots into an occupied home. Armed with not one, but three types of weapons—a handgun, shotgun, and rifle—Montana continued his violent outburst from various locations within the driveway, seeking cover among vehicles and landscaping[2][3].
The Confrontation's Conclusion
In the ensuing exchange, officers returned fire, striking Montana. He was later pronounced dead at the scene following a lack of response. A resident from the targeted home suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment, while the officers escaped unscathed[2][3].
Two officers involved in the incident were put on paid administrative leave post-shootout[2][3].
The Man Behind the Music
Montana played a brief stint with Possessed, joining the band in 1983 and departing before the group’s debut album was recorded in 1985. The band mourned his passing with a touching tribute on their social media platforms[2][3].
The Role of Alcohol
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe mentioned that alcohol played a part in the heated circumstances leading up to the shootout[3]. The incident, while regrettable, fortunately resulted in no further serious injuries to bystanders.
Shedding Light on the Life and Times:
California
In other news, a significant development occurred when Jillian Lauren, the wife of famous Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was accused of attempting to murder police officers during a search for a hit-and-run suspect[1].
Music
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the music world has been hit hard by gun violence. Tragic incidents, such as the paralyzing shooting of Possessed’s vocalist, Jeff Becerra, in 1989, and the recent remarkable strides he’s made towards walking again with the aid of robotic technology[1], serve as potent reminders of the fragility of life and the lasting impact such tragedies can have on musicians and their loved ones.
- Despite residing in Los Angeles, the former bassist of Weezer, Scott Shriner, found himself in a dramatic incident in the neighboring city of San Mateo, California.
- In a twist of tragic fate, another California resident and ex-guitarist of the death metal band, Possessed, Brian Montana, was involved in a fatal encounter with law enforcement in South San Francisco.
- The entertainment industry, including music, was once again shaken by a violent turn of events, as Montana was armed with multiple weapons in a shootout in his driveway.
- The culture of Hollywood took a somber turn as Possessed mourned the loss of their former guitarist, while the music world remembered a man who played a brief but impactful role in the genre.
- In the realm of general news and crime and justice, the violent confrontation involving Brian Montana shed light on the escalation of minor disputes into lethal encounters.
- The landscaping of Montana's property was unintentionally implicated in the tragic shootout, providing cover for the former guitarist during the chaotic exchange of gunfire.
- In a separate incident, Jillian Lauren, the wife of Weezer's bassist, found herself embroiled in a shocking allegation of attempting to murder police officers during a search for a hit-and-run suspect, adding to the general sense of unease in California's entertainment scene.
