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San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Burglars hit home of Bay Area death metal guitarist days after fatal police shooting
Two men have been charged with breaking into death metal guitarist Brian Montana's home to steal his credit cards and car just days after he was shot and killed by police following a violent neighborhood standoff, authorities said. Richard Vaka, of Newark, and Norman Desumala, of Fremont, were arrested June 5 after a South San Francisco Police Department investigation tied them to a burglary on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive that occurred May 2 — four days after Montana's fatal confrontation with police. The break-in took place shortly after 6 a.m., while the residence was unoccupied, according to police. Montana's friend Rob Estrada noted on Facebook that the guitarist's family still lived in the home, though they had stayed elsewhere immediately following the shooting. 'The suspects forced entry into a home that had been temporarily vacated following a tragic neighborhood incident, before stealing personal property and a vehicle,' the department wrote in a Facebook post on June 9. Detectives identified the suspects through a witness description and evidence that one of the stolen credit cards had been used at a Bay Area casino later that day. Vaka and Desumala were later taken into custody during an unrelated police encounter in Fremont, officials said. Vaka faces charges of first-degree burglary, vehicle theft and grand theft. Desumala has been charged with theft and fraud-related offenses. Both men were booked into Alameda County Jail and remain in custody. Montana, 60, was killed April 28 during an extended exchange of gunfire with police that began after a dispute with a neighbor over fallen tree debris. According to authorities, he fired multiple weapons — including a handgun, shotgun and rifle — at officers and homes before he was fatally shot. An early member of Possessed, Montana played on the band's influential 1984 'Death Metal' demo, widely credited with coining the name of the genre. Though he left before the release of the debut album, 'Seven Churches,' his role in the band's formation helped define its aggressive sound. The band paid tribute to Montana in an Instagram post shortly after his death. 'Brian Montana was a very nice guy,' the caption read. 'He was jovial and a gentleman. He was into martial arts and he was an excellent guitar player. Brian was always cracking jokes and he was a good person. Although we weren't in touch often and more than a phone call here and there. 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.' The band went on to ask for the public to respect the privacy of his family and close friends as they continue to mourn his death. 'He was obviously going through some struggles and I think this is the time to be respectful towards the Montana family and friends as this is a tragic time for them,' Possessed wrote. 'I'm sure there's a lot more to this story but that would be up to Brian's family to tell or not to tell. I know that I still feel this is a great loss and I'm deeply saddened.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former Possessed guitarist killed by police in California after gun battle outside his home
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Brian Montana, a former guitarist with Californian death metal pioneers Possessed has been shot dead by armed police in San Francisco, following an escalation of dispute with a neighbour on April 28. Montana was 60 years old. Montana played with Possessed in 1983/'84, and played on their 1984 demo cassette Death Metal, from which Metal Blade boss took the song Swing Of The Axe as the opening track of his label's 1985 compilation Metal Massacre VI. The band's classic debut album, Seven Churches, was released by Combat Records later in 1985. According to police reports, Montana was killed following an armed stand-off with police, after they were called to the area after reports of gunshots. A statement from the South San Francisco Police Department reads: "South San Francisco Police Department in conjunction with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is actively investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 28, 2025 at about 5:52 pm. at a home on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. South San Francisco Police Department received a 911 call regarding an active disturbance where a suspect was brandishing a firearm at a neighbor on the 300 block of Arroyo Drive. Officers began arriving on scene at 5:55 pm and immediately requested additional units because the suspect with the firearm was now actively shooting into an occupied residence. The suspect then re-positioned himself into a driveway of that neighboring residence and concealed his location behind parked vehicles while still armed. "Over the next 25 minutes, the suspect armed himself with three different types of firearms (handgun, shotgun, and rifle) and fired at officers from different locations within the driveway while seeking cover and concealment using both vehicles in the driveway and landscaping. Officers used police vehicles as cover from the barage of gunfire and were able to return fire. Officers were able to strike the suspect, effectively preventing him from continued shooting at officers and nearby residences. Once the suspect was confirmed he was no longer a threat to officers, an approach to take him into custody was made and he was found to be non-responsive. Life saving measures were performed and medical personnel were called to the scene. The suspect succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. "One resident from the home that the suspect was shooting at sustained a non-life threatening injury and was transported to a local trauma hospital. Nearby residences were also checked and officers confirmed no one else was injured. No officers were injured during this critical incident. "We are able to confirm there are two officers who fired their weapons. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is customary in Officer Involved Shooting protocols. "In the coming weeks, we intend to release additional information, including audio and video recordings. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the South San Francisco Police Department." The police statement adds, "This investigation is still active. Information could change as the investigation continues."
San Francisco Chronicle
01-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Death metal pioneer identified as gunman killed in South San Francisco police standoff
Brian Montana, an original guitarist for the pioneering Bay Area death metal band Possessed, was shot and killed by police in South San Francisco this week after a heated dispute with a neighbor turned into a prolonged and violent gun battle. Montana, 60, was identified by authorities as the suspect involved in the standoff on Monday, April 28. Police say the incident began when Montana became enraged over tree debris from a neighbor's yard and escalated into a shooting that left one resident injured and the neighborhood temporarily under lockdown. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Arroyo Drive around 5:52 p.m. after multiple 911 calls reported an armed individual threatening a neighbor. By the time backup arrived minutes later, Montana had already fired numerous rounds into the occupied residence and was using parked vehicles and landscaping for cover while exchanging gunfire with police for over 25 minutes 'The armed suspect repositioned into a neighboring driveway and fired multiple times at officers using a handgun, shotgun, and rifle,' the South San Francisco Police Department said in a statement. 'Officers used patrol cars as cover and returned fire. The suspect was struck and ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.' Montana was struck by return fire from two officers. Life-saving efforts at the scene were unsuccessful. The neighbor suffered a graze wound and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. 'Two officers discharged their weapons and have been placed on paid administrative leave per protocol,' police said. 'The incident is under investigation with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.' Montana was a key figure in Possessed's early formation. The musician joined the Bay Area band in 1983, responding to an ad for a guitarist placed by founding members Mike Torrao and Mike Sus. He helped shape the group's raw sound during its garage days and played on its 'Death Metal' demo in 1984, a release that gave the genre its name. Though Montana left the band before the recording of its seminal debut 'Seven Churches,' he was instrumental in its earliest gigs. 'After I joined the band, yes, we hung out together a lot,' Montana told Voices From the Darkside in an undated interview. 'I was the original guitarist besides Torrao, so when I joined we were still just a garage band; didn't even have our first gig yet. After we started playing the clubs, we bonded more and had a lot more fun with it.' Possessed would go on to influence generations of metal acts. Montana added, 'I left the band because Torrao had a terrible attitude problem and wouldn't stop ragging at me. He was like some senile old lady that just wouldn't shut up. He had a problem with my image. He didn't think I was evil enough or something. He was always ragging on me to wear an upside down crucifix and be satanic.' In 1989, frontman Jeff Becerra was paralyzed in a separate shooting, and only in 2021 walked again with robotic assistance.
