Brian Montana: Guitarist of Death Metal Band Possessed Shot Dead During Standoff with Police in San Francisco
On Wednesday, his band paid tribute to Montana through its Instagram Stories, posting a photo of him with the message, "Rest In Peace Brian Montana." The music outlet Consequence identified Montana as the person on the left in the tribute image. Montana's death is being mourned by thousands of his fans.
Killed after Turning Violent
One neighbor sustained non-life-threatening injury during the shootout, in which Montana hid behind parked vehicles and landscaping while firing at police for nearly 30 minutes using three different firearms, according to CBS Bay Area.
Police said that Montana "fired multiple times at officers with a handgun, shotgun, and rifle." Officers took cover behind their patrol cars and returned fire. Montana was hit during the exchange and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities responded to a call around 6 p.m. local time on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive after receiving reports of an armed man threatening a neighbor.
Montana, an early member of the band, was reportedly "enraged" over debris from a nearby tree, which police said sparked the deadly confrontation, according to the newspaper.
Officers told the station that they saw a man—later confirmed to be Montana—firing a gun at someone inside a house. Police said Montana was then seen moving toward a driveway, where he took cover behind a parked car and some landscaping.
From there, he began shooting at officers using three different weapons. Montana was given first aid but was unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Cursed Band
Possessed, a prominent name in the death metal circle with over 195,000 followers on Instagram, is currently on tour promoting their album Revelations of Oblivion, according to their social media. Authorities said that the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, following standard procedures.
Authorities also said that more details — including video and audio recordings from the deadly encounter — will be made available to the public later.
The incident is currently being investigated by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, police told the newspaper.
Montana is the second member of Possessed to be involved in a shooting. In 1989, the band's lead singer, Jeff Becerra, was shot twice during a robbery, an incident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, according to Livewire.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Uzbek cleric goes on trial on charges of religious extremism, hatred against Israel
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TASHKENT - A prominent independent Muslim Uzbek cleric went on trial on Tuesday in Tashkent on charges of promoting extremism and inciting hatred against Israel, in one of the highest-profile cases regarding religious practices in recent years. Alisher Tursunov, widely known as Mubashshir Ahmad, faces charges of inciting religious hatred, distribution of materials that threaten public order and illegal distribution of materials with religious content. In total, the charges carry a penalty of five-to-eight years in prison. Tursunov, 51, ran a popular religious media project, which had some 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube before he shut it down in 2023 under threat of legal punishment. He subsequently moved to Turkey, where he was arrested and extradited to Uzbekistan in May. The charges stem from both his work on the project as well as posts the cleric made on social media, according to his lawyer. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, local media reported. In a post on his Telegram channel in April, Tursunov spoke out in favour of a fatwa issued by the International Union of Muslim Scholars, a Qatar-based group, advocating for jihad against Israel over "the bloodshed in Gaza." "I would ask our government to listen to these calls," Tursunov said. "We are all Muslims, including leaders on top, and we should follow the fatwa issued to Muslims." Uzbekistan, a landlocked, majority Muslim country in Central Asia home to some 38 million people, has had diplomatic relations with Israel since soon after the fall of the Soviet Union. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP 2026 to be held at National Stadium to accommodate more Singaporeans Singapore Girl, 14, among 3 injured after minibus falls into Bukit Panjang canal Singapore Man to be charged after allegedly slashing another man with Swiss knife at City Plaza Singapore What led to Changi Airport runway incident involving 2 China Eastern Airlines planes in Aug 2024 Singapore FairPrice apologises after worm found in salmon bought from Bedok North outlet Singapore Married man who offered cash to 12-year-old girl for sexual acts gets 19 months' jail Singapore Recruits on Pulau Tekong to get six hours of drone training as part of new programme Islam Karimov, who ruled Uzbekistan as president from 1991 until his death in 2016, was widely criticised for cracking down on Muslims under the pretext of fighting religious fundamentalism and terrorism. Karimov's successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, initially relaxed strict religious restrictions, but in recent years has instituted curbs on religious freedom, according to Human Rights Watch. REUTERS
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Morecambe appoint Johal as first Sikh professional manager in England
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - Ashvir Singh Johal has become the first Sikh to coach a professional club in England after being named as first-team manager at fifth-tier Morecambe on Tuesday. The 30-year-old is also the youngest manager in the top-five tiers of English soccer. "He arrives at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium with an excellent reputation as a forward thinking coach and leader, bringing a wealth of experience in player development, tactical innovation, and building high-performance cultures," the club said. "His appointment marks an exciting new era for the Shrimps as the Club continues its journey under fresh ownership and renewed ambition." Johal, who worked at Leicester City's academy for 10 years and was part of Kolo Toure's coaching team at Wigan Athletic in the Championship in 2022, replaces Derek Adams who left the club following the takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium. The club is yet to play a game in the National League this season after being suspended because of its failure to meet financial obligations, including failing to pay staff and uncertainty about the ownership. Following the completion of the sale of the club by the Bond Group to London-based Panjab Warriors, that suspension has been lifted, meaning Johal can begin the task of trying to reverse the decline in the seaside town club's fortunes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore What led to Changi Airport runway incident involving 2 China Eastern Airlines planes in Aug 2024 Singapore FairPrice apologises after woman finds worm in salmon bought from Bedok North outlet Singapore CPIB nabs 9 suspects for alleged match-fixing in national basketball league Singapore Live Singapore-raised seafood on sale at 3 Giant supermarkets from Aug 19 Singapore Singapore seals carbon credit deal with Thailand, its first South-east Asian partner Asia Singaporean man sentenced to 72 years' jail in Malaysia for murdering wife and stepson Singapore Court to assess if teen who advertised vapes for sale on WhatsApp can receive probation "The immediate priority right now is going to be to identify the players that we need in this building to ensure Morecambe Football Club can perform well in the National League," he said. Johal completed his UEFA Pro Licence in June. REUTERS
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
Local indie theatre The Projector to cease operations on Aug 19 after a decade
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Local Indie theatre The Projector announced on Aug 19 that it is winding down after a decade of operations. SINGAPORE - Local indie theatre The Projector announced on Aug 19 that it is winding down after a decade of operations. In an Instagram post, it said that it 'will enter voluntary liquidation after a decade of championing alternative films, local creativity, and community-led programming'. Its operations will cease on Aug 19 with immediate effect, with all screenings and events scheduled after the date to be cancelled. In a press statement, it cited rising operational costs, shifting audience habits and the global decline in cinema attendance as reasons for its closure. These have made sustaining an independent cinema in Singapore an increasingly difficult endeavour, it said. Alongside these pressures are the broader realities of operating in the arts and culture sector in Singapore, 'where independent ventures navigate limited resources while contributing to the country's evolving cultural landscape', it added. On its website, there are screenings for several films such as horror flick Together, listed to open on Aug 21, and Magnolia, a 1999 cult classic by director Paul Thomas Anderson, which was scheduled for screening on Aug 17 and 30, and Sept 10. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore What led to Changi Airport runway incursion involving 2 China Eastern Airlines planes in Aug 2024 Singapore Singapore seals carbon credit deal with Thailand, its first South-east Asian partner Singapore CPIB nabs 9 suspects for alleged match-fixing in national basketball league Singapore 'I vaped when I woke up until I slept': More youth vaping to cope with stress, say social workers Asia Singaporean man sentenced to 72 years' jail in Malaysia for murdering wife and stepson Singapore 4 days' jail for former pre-school teacher who kicked and bruised pupil's shin However, tickets are no longer available for these screenings and its statement did not address what would happen to those who had purchased tickets in advance. However, an automated e-mail response said that it will not be able to issue refunds directly as the company will be placed into liquidation. Instead, any refund claims related to tickets, memberships, vouchers and e-gift cards will need to be submitted through an appointed liquidator. More details will soon be updated on its FAQ page, under 'Important Cinema Announcements', the Projector added. Fighting to keep it alive The Projector first opened its doors in 2014 at Golden Mile Tower, an iconic building known for its Thai discos and eateries. It was started by three female co-founders: Ms Karen Tan, Ms Blaise Trigg-Smith and Ms Sharon Tan. In the past decade, it has hosted many film festivals and screened countless indie films from across the globe. Just weeks ago, the indie theatre had said that it would resume regular movie screenings at its original space in Golden Mile Tower from Aug 6. Operations at its second outlet in Orchard Cineleisure ceased on Aug 3. 'It breaks our hearts to make this decision,' said Ms Karen Tan in a statement. 'We've fought to keep The Projector alive through every challenge - from breathing new life into a disused cinema at Golden Mile Tower, to weathering the pandemic, to expanding to new spaces.' She added that she is immensely grateful to everyone who has been part of The Projector's journey, including its team, collaborators, partners and loyal audiences. 'The Projector may be closing, but we hope its spirit will live on in the conversations, ideas, and communities we've nurtured,' she said. Local cinemagoers and artists expressed sadness at the iconic cinema's closure. Mr Christian Yeo, 26, a writer and poet, said: 'As a young artist growing up in Singapore, I have been going to The Projector since I was in my secondary school uniform. 'Apart from being a lodestone of arthouse cinema, it was and remains perhaps the only space in Singapore in which I felt able to fully be myself.' He added that attending Singaporean novelist Amanda Lee Koe's book launch in 2019, held at The Projector's Golden Mile Tower venue, was the first time he knew he wanted to be a writer. He also attended a poetry reading at its Riverside outpost in 2020 with other young poets and Hong Kong-born poet Mary Jean Chan. To 28-year-old copywriter Max Sin, The Projector was markedly different from its commercial counterparts. The cinema, he said, offered a space for alternative yet critical voices and for like-minded individuals to forge a community. Ms Rhea Chalak, 23, an undergraduate and the vice-president of the Nanyang Technological University's Film Society, added that the indie cinema was a safe space that she and her fellow cinephiles will miss dearly. She described The Projector as having 'something so inherently Singaporean, homely and true about it', which has allowed for a different film watching experience. 'At the end of the day, the death of The Projector is the death of yet another third space that brings our community together, inspires and drives change, is a mascot for culture and the arts, and ultimately an appreciation of the world beyond us through cinema.' Last day of operations Upon learning about the cinema's closure, 26-year-old Saksham Mehrotra immediately headed down to its outlet on the fifth floor of Golden Mile Tower. The cinephile, who works as a philanthropy officer, said that when he visited at 1.55pm on Aug 19, he saw staff in the midst of packing up. They could be seen carefully wrapping up movie posters, chairs and the bar area. The Projector first opened its doors in 2014 at Golden Mile Tower, an iconic building known for its Thai discos and eateries. PHOTOS: SAKSHAM MEHROTRA 'They had a rather sincere demeanour to them, focusing on the job at hand while making space for cinema enthusiasts to come and say goodbye,' he said. Staff members also encouraged patrons who dropped by to pick up a rolled-up movie poster from buckets placed at the lift lobby to remember the good times the cinema gave them. Two buckets of rolled-up posters were placed by the lift lobby of The Projector's Golden Mile outlet, for patrons to collect. PHOTO: SAKSHAM MEHROTRA The Straits Times has contacted The Projector for more information.
