Former guitarist of pioneering death metal band Possessed dies in shootout with San Francisco police

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

On Monday, April 28, Brian Montana, a former guitarist of pioneering death metal band Possessed, was shot and killed in San Francisco by the city’s police force during an armed shootout. Montana joined Possessed in 1983, left the band in 1984, and was 60 years old when he died.

The shootout lasted approximately 25 minutes. The incident allegedly stemmed from an argument with a neighbor over tree clippings at the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. Montana reportedly pulled a gun on his neighbor when the quarrel escalated, and fired rounds at his neighbor’s house.

Police arrived on scene after receiving complaints of gunfire, and stated Montana opened fire on them with a handgun, shotgun and rifle. Montana used landscaping scenery and surrounding vehicles in the driveway to shield himself from gunfire during the incident, while police used their squad cars for protection.

Police eventually managed to neutralize Montana after successfully landing a shot on him. After life-saving measures were attempted, Montana was pronounced dead at the scene. Police stated that one resident in the house that Montana was firing at sustained what was described as a “graze wound,” and required hospitalization. No other casualties were reported.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe stated that alcohol was involved in the incident. He was quoted saying, “[Montana’s] death is a tragedy, but it’s fortunate that nobody else [was] hit or injured more seriously.”

Possessed vocalist Jeff Becerra took to the band’s official Instagram and wrote: “The Brian I know is from when we were still just kids back in the beginning of Possessed. He was nothing like what I’m seeing being written about him. In fact, I think that’s one of the reasons that led to him leaving Possessed. He just wasn’t willing to be as dark as we wanted him to be at that time. We were going for that evil imagery, and Brian was just so lighthearted, even goofy in a good way.”

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