Original Possessed Guitarist Killed in Shootout with San Francisco Police
What apparently started as an altercation between neighbors over some loose tree branches and leaves ended up with original Possessed guitarist Brian Montana getting gunned down in a shootout with San Francisco police officers this past Monday. The incident is being described by officials as a “tragedy” that luckily resulted in no other injuries or deaths.
According to a report in The Daily Journal, it all kicked off when Montana got in an argument with his neighbor. Authorities allege that the altercation kicked off because Montana was annoyed that branches and leaves from the neighbor’s tree was falling into his yard. Things ultimately escalated when Montana allegedly threatened his neighbor with a firearm.
Police claim that as they approached the Montana and his neighbor’s South San Francisco homes, the ex-guitarist was already firing shots at his neighbor’s house. That prompted police to call for backup. Police say Montana then turned his gun to the authorities while hiding behind some vehicles in his driveway. The 60-year-old man was eventually killed by police in the ensuing gunfire. According to reports, the neighbor only suffered a light graze wound during the shootout.
In a statement, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Montana was inebriated at the time of the incident. He also commended the actions of local law enforcement who acted quickly to address the threat to the neighbor and the surrounding area.
“[Montana’s] death is a tragedy, but it’s fortunate that nobody else wasn’t hit or injured more seriously.”
This isn’t the first time someone from Possessed was involved in a shooting. In 1989, frontman Jeff Becerra was shot by two armed robbers, leaving him paralyzed in the process.
This isn’t even the craziest news to come out of the Possessed camp in recent months, but the last story was a little more gross and probably should involve law enforcement if we’re being serious here…
Montana was a member of Possessed for one year from 1983 to 1984. He only contributed to a demo titled Death Metal in 1984, after which point he quit the band, citing interpersonal issues within the band.
