Former POSSESSED Guitarist Brian Montana Killed in Police Shootout Following Violent Neighborhood Dispute

Brian Montana, an early guitarist for Bay Area death/thrash pioneers Possessed, was killed in a violent armed confrontation with police in South San Francisco, CA, on Monday, April 28th. He was 60 years old.

According to authorities, the incident began when Montana became enraged over a dispute involving tree branches and leaves spilling into his yard from a neighbor’s property. The situation escalated when Montana reportedly brandished a firearm and began firing multiple rounds, one of which struck the neighbor, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury.

Police were dispatched to the scene on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive around 5:55 PM, shortly after a 911 call reported an armed individual actively firing into an occupied residence. Upon arrival, officers encountered Montana, who was now concealed behind vehicles in a neighboring driveway and armed with a variety of firearms, including a handgun, shotgun, and rifle.

What followed was a chaotic 25-minute standoff, during which Montana is said to have exchanged gunfire with police from multiple positions while seeking cover in the driveway. Officers returned fire, eventually striking Montana and ending the threat. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Montana was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured in the exchange.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe later confirmed that alcohol played a role in Montana‘s actions. The South San Francisco Police Department stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information, including audio and video evidence, will be released in the coming weeks. Both officers involved in discharging their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave per standard protocol.

Possessed, who Montana briefly played with between 1983 and 1984, acknowledged his passing in a short statement shared to their Instagram stories overnight.

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