(PatriotNews.net) – A dispute over yard debris ended with legendary death metal guitarist Brian Montana dead after a 25-minute armed standoff with California police that began when he pulled a gun on his neighbor, proving once again that San Francisco’s problems go far beyond homelessness and drugs.
At a Glance
- Brian Montana, 60, former guitarist for pioneering death metal band Possessed, was killed in a police shootout in South San Francisco
- The incident began as a dispute over tree trimmings before Montana allegedly opened fire on a neighbor’s home and responding officers
- During the 25-minute standoff, Montana utilized three different firearms and tactical cover while police returned fire
- A neighbor was injured during the incident but survived with non-life-threatening injuries
- Alcohol was reportedly a factor in Montana’s behavior that led to the fatal confrontation
From Tree Trimming to Tactical Standoff
What began as a mundane neighborhood disagreement over property lines and yard waste spiraled into deadly violence in South San Francisco’s Rancho Buri Buri neighborhood on April 28, 2025. When police arrived at 5:52 pm, they found Montana firing into an occupied home. Instead of surrendering, the 60-year-old former guitarist for the pioneering death metal band Possessed escalated the situation into a full-blown tactical engagement with law enforcement. This incident represents yet another example of how quickly disputes can turn deadly when guns and compromised judgment enter the equation.
Reports indicate Montana employed sophisticated tactics during the standoff, using not just one but three different firearms – a handgun, shotgun, and rifle – while taking cover behind parked vehicles and landscaping. The police were forced to use their patrol cars as shields from what they described as a “barrage of gunfire” during the extended confrontation. Despite California’s notoriously strict gun laws, Montana somehow managed to amass this small arsenal and wasn’t afraid to use it over something as trivial as tree trimmings.
Death Metal Legend’s Final Act
Montana’s place in metal music history makes his violent end all the more shocking. As a member of Possessed from 1983-84, he helped pioneer the death metal genre that would influence generations of extreme music. Following his death, the band acknowledged his passing with a simple social media tribute: “Possessed RIP Brian Montana.” The musician’s legacy now carries the stain of this final, violent chapter – a far cry from the artistic rebellion that defined death metal’s emergence in the early 1980s.
“It’s tragic that even that individual, again, he tried to resolve a situation the wrong way.” – Cory David.
Officials reported that alcohol played a significant role in Montana’s behavior that day. The South San Francisco Police Department and the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office are conducting a full investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The two officers who fired the fatal shots have been placed on paid administrative leave per standard procedure. Meanwhile, an innocent neighbor caught in the crossfire was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries – another victim of Montana’s inexplicable rage.
California’s Paradoxical Gun Problem
Montana’s rampage highlights the contradiction at the heart of California’s approach to gun control. Despite having some of the nation’s most restrictive firearm laws, the state continues to see high-profile gun violence. Law-abiding citizens face increasing hurdles to legal gun ownership while those with criminal intent seem undeterred. In this case, police had no choice but to respond with equal force when confronted with a subject who was tactically engaging them with multiple weapons.
“[Montana] fired multiple times at officers using a handgun, shotgun, and rifle … Officers used patrol cars as cover and returned fire. The suspect was struck and ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene” – SSFPD.
The police department has promised to release audio and video recordings as the investigation progresses. Whether this evidence will provide clarity about Montana’s motivations remains to be seen. What’s certain is that a minor dispute over tree branches that crossed property lines ended with one man dead, another injured, and a community shaken. Once again, we’re reminded that no gun control law can fully account for human volatility and poor decision-making, especially when fueled by substances that impair judgment.
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