Police officer fatally shoots ex-metal band member from Possessed
Rewritten Article:
Guitarist Brian Montana from Bay Area death metal band, Possessed, dies in police shootout
Brian Montana, an ex-guitarist for the Bay Area death metal band, Possessed, met a tragic end in South San Francisco, following a confrontation with the police.
Tensions rose on April 28, after Montana, 60, had a quarrel with a neighbor over leaves and branches from the neighbor’s yard invading his property. This dispute soon escalated, leading to confrontations and threats from Montana, who brandished a firearm, as reported in a press release from the South San Francisco Police Department, first published in the San Mateo Daily Journal.
"As officers arrived on the scene at 5:55 PM, they promptly requested backup due to the suspect brandishing the firearm and actively shooting into an occupied residence," the release stated. "The suspect then took cover behind parked vehicles in a nearby driveway while remaining armed."
Over the next 25 minutes, Montana retrieved three different types of firearms — a handgun, shotgun, and rifle — and fired at the officers from various locations within the driveway, seeking cover and concealment using vehicles and landscaping.
Two officers on site returned fire, fatally wounding Montana. A resident living in the house that Montana targeted suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no police officers were injured.
San Mateo County Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe told the Daily Journal, "Montana's actions were reckless, fueled by alcohol. While his death is a tragedy, it's fortunate that nobody else wasn't hit or injured more seriously."
Montana played with Possessed from 1983 to 1984, contributing significantly to the band's early work, including their debut demo "Death Metal" released in 1984. Possessed paid tribute to Montana following his death, posting a photo of him on their Instagram account.
"Remembering Brian Montana, Possessed's kind-hearted and gentle guitarist. He was a great part of the band and will be missed," the band wrote. "Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
Musical Legacy
Brian Montana's death marks another unfortunate incident involving gun violence in the music world. Jeff Becerra, vocalist for Possessed, was paralyzed from the chest down in 1989 after being shot in an armed robbery. However, in 2021, he managed to walk for the first time in decades with help from robotic legs.
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More to Read
- Possessed: Find out more about Possessed: Possessed's Official Website and Possessed on Metal Archives
- Jeff Becerra Discover the remarkable story of Jeff Becerra's resilience and recovery: Jeff Becerra's Post-Paralysis Resurgence: "I Walk Again" - Metal Injection
- Alcohol-Fueled Violence Explore the impact of alcohol on violent incidents: Alcohol and Violence Relationship: Understanding the Connection
- Bay Area's Death Metal Scene Dive into the history and evolution of the Bay Area's death metal scene: Bay Area Death Metal: A Brief History and Legacy
- ** gun violence in music ** Investigate the impact of gun violence on musicians: Gun Violence and Musicians: Understanding the Risks and Impacts on the Community
- Brian Montana, the ex-guitarist for Bay Area death metal band, Possessed, was fatally woundded in a police shootout in South San Francisco, California.
- The incident occurred after a dispute with a neighbor over leaves and branches invading Montana's property, which escalated into threats and a display of firearms.
- Montana, aged 60, had a history with the band, Possessed, contributing significantly to their early work, including their debut demo "Death Metal" released in 1984.
- Following the shootout, Possessed paid tribute to Montana, expressing their condolences and remembering him as a kind-hearted and gentle guitarist.
- The tragedy serves as another reminder of gun violence in the music world, recalling the incident involving vocalist Jeff Becerra of Possessed, who was paralyzed from the chest down in 1989.
- San Mateo County Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe stated that Montana's actions were reckless and fueled by alcohol, expressing relief that no one else was injured more seriously.
- The incident comes amidst other incidents of gun violence and alcohol-fueled violence in California, as reported in entertainment and general news outlets.
