Heavy Metal Guitarist Dies in Police Shootout; Second Band Member Shot

Heavy Metal Guitarist Dies in Police Shootout – Second Band Member Shot in Band’s History

Brian Montana, 60, a guitarist for the death metal band Possessed, was killed in a shootout with police in South San Francisco on Monday. The incident began as a dispute over landscaping debris before escalating into a 30-minute exchange of gunfire. Authorities reported Montana used three firearms—a handgun, shotgun, and rifle—during the confrontation.

Police responded to a call around 6 p.m. on May 1, 2025, after reports of an armed man threatening a neighbor on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. Upon arrival, officers found Montana firing at a residence. He later took cover behind a parked car and continued shooting. Despite attempts to negotiate, Montana was pronounced dead at the scene. A neighbor sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but no officers were harmed.

[Image: Brian Montana (left) with bandmates in a tribute photo shared on Possessed’s Instagram.]

Possessed, known for their album Revelation of Oblimathion, shared a tribute to Montana on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace Brian Montana.” The band, which has over 195,000 followers, is currently on tour.

[Image: Police tape cordoning off the crime scene on Arroyo Drive.]

This marks the second time a Possessed member has been shot. In 1989, vocalist Jeff Becerra was paralyzed after being shot during a robbery. Becerra recounted the incident in a 2019 interview, stating he was shot multiple times, leaving a bullet lodged near his spine.

[Image: Possessed performing live in Santiago, Chile, from their recent tour.]

Authorities are reviewing footage and audio from the shootout and will release further details. The officers involved are on administrative leave pending investigation. Montana’s death adds a tragic chapter to the band’s history, underscoring the violent incidents linked to its members.

[Image: Jeff Becerra performing with Possessed before his 1989 shooting.]

This story is developing.