Brian Montana, an early guitarist for long-standing death metal band Possessed, was killed in an armed standoff with police in San Francisco on Monday (April 28th).
According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, the incident started when 60-year-old Montana got into an argument with his neighbor over a tree that had branches and leaves spilling into his own backyard. Montana apparently began shooting firearms during the dispute.
When officers arrived at the scene, Montana allegedly began firing at the cops, who returned fire and killed the metal musician. According to authorities, alcohol played a part in Montana’s actions.
Related Video
“On the shooter’s side, there was some alcohol involved,” District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe stated. “His death is a tragedy, but it’s fortunate that nobody else wasn’t hit or injured more seriously.”
A press release from the South San Francisco Police Department reads as follows:
“This investigation is still active. Information could change as the investigation continues.
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 neighbor 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 neighboring 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 was a member of Possessed from 1983 to 1984. While he didn’t perform on any studio albums, his playing can be heard on the band’s 1984 demo Death Metal. After exiting Possessed, Montana became a member of the short-lived band Abnormal, appearing on their lone demo, Demon-Stration.
Possessed acknowledged Montana’s death in a social media post, writing, “Rest in Peace, Brian Montana,” alongside a photo of the guitarist on the band’s Facebook stories. A screengrab of that post, along with a couple of TV news reports, can be seen below.
