Brian Montana, a former guitarist for the pioneering death metal band Possessed, was tragically killed in a confrontation with police in South San Francisco, California. The incident occurred on the evening of April 28, when Montana, 60, brandished a gun at a neighbor, prompting a police response. Police arrived to find Montana firing at the neighbor’s residence, leading to a 25-minute standoff during which Montana armed himself with multiple firearms and exchanged gunfire with officers. Ultimately, police were forced to shoot Montana, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A resident of the targeted home sustained a non-life-threatening injury and was taken to the hospital. Two officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave. Montana had been an early member of Possessed, a Bay Area metal band established in 1982, and although he joined in 1983, he departed the band before their debut album was recorded in 1985. The band expressed condolences to Montana’s family on their Instagram Story. For more crime news and updates, consider signing up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter.
