Police Fatally Shoot Death Metal Legend Following Violent Neighborhood Dispute

People in black holding white roses in a line.

Former death metal guitarist Brian Montana was killed in a police shootout after a dispute over tree trimmings escalated into a 25-minute armed standoff in South San Francisco.

Key Insights

Brian Montana, 60, former guitarist for pioneering death metal band Possessed, died in an armed confrontation with police on April 28th, 2025
The incident began as a dispute with a neighbor over tree branches before Montana retrieved multiple weapons and opened fire
Montana used three different firearms (handgun, shotgun, and rifle) during the 25-minute standoff while taking cover behind vehicles
Police report alcohol was a factor in Montana’s behavior during the incident
One neighbor was injured with non-life-threatening wounds during the exchange of gunfire

Neighborhood Dispute Turns Deadly

What began as a disagreement over landscape maintenance in a quiet South San Francisco neighborhood turned fatal when former death metal guitarist Brian Montana armed himself and engaged police in a shootout. Officers responded to the Rancho Buri Buri neighborhood at 5:52 pm on April 28th after reports of an armed man shooting into an occupied home. The dispute reportedly started when Montana cut back an overhanging tree that crossed property lines, leading to a confrontation with his neighbor that rapidly deteriorated.

According to the South San Francisco Police Department, when officers arrived at the scene, they found Montana actively firing into a neighboring residence. Authorities reported that alcohol appeared to be a factor in Montana’s aggressive behavior. The 60-year-old musician, who played with the pioneering death metal band Possessed in the early 1980s, had armed himself with three different firearms – a handgun, shotgun, and rifle.

Ex-Possessed Guitarist Brian Montana Killed In Armed Standoff With The Police:https://t.co/MTRw6kVTL5 pic.twitter.com/4Afv4xsKZn

— Theprp.com (@theprp) May 1, 2025

Extended Armed Standoff

The confrontation between Montana and law enforcement lasted approximately 25 minutes, during which Montana fired repeatedly at officers while using parked vehicles and surrounding landscaping as cover. Police were forced to use their patrol cars as shields against the barrage of gunfire. During the exchange, a neighbor was struck and later hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, adding to the seriousness of the situation.

“Officers used police vehicles as cover from the barrage of gunfire and were able to return fire,” said SSFPD.

Eventually, two officers returned fire, striking Montana. Despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident undergoes investigation, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The South San Francisco Police Department confirmed that no officers were injured during the confrontation.

Investigation and Community Response

The South San Francisco Police Department and the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office have launched an investigation into the shooting. Officials have stated they will release additional information, including audio and video recordings, as the investigation progresses. The police department has emphasized the preliminary nature of the information currently available.

“This investigation is still active. Information could change as the investigation continues,” South San Francisco Police Department said.

Neighbors expressed shock at how a disagreement over something as mundane as tree trimmings could escalate to deadly violence. Cory David, a resident of the area, commented on the tragic nature of the situation, saying, “It’s tragic that even that individual, again, he tried to resolve a situation the wrong way.” The band Possessed acknowledged Montana’s passing on social media with a brief statement reading “Possessed RIP Brian Montana,” recognizing his brief but significant contribution to the pioneering death metal group from 1983-84.

A Warning About Dispute Resolution

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly common neighborhood disagreements can spiral out of control when weapons and impaired judgment become involved. What began as a dispute over landscaping ended with one man dead, a neighbor injured, and a community shaken. Law enforcement experts point to this case as an example of why disputes between neighbors should be handled through proper channels such as homeowner associations, mediation services, or local authorities before tensions escalate.