UPDATE: A South San Francisco police officer has been officially cleared of any criminal liability in the fatal shooting of a heavily armed man during a dramatic gun battle on April 28, 2023. The man, identified as Brian Joseph Montana, engaged police in a nearly half-hour standoff, threatening neighbors and firing a staggering 63 shots before being killed.
The incident unfolded on Arroyo Drive after Montana reportedly threatened to kill his neighbors over lawn debris, escalating into a violent confrontation. Authorities confirmed that only Montana, aged 60, lost his life during this harrowing episode, which began around 5:30 PM.
According to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, Officer Jeffrey Lee was justified in his actions. In a report released on Thursday, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe praised Lee’s bravery, stating, “Officer Lee’s willingness to expose himself to repeated gunshots and his expert marksmanship put an end to the danger and may have saved lives.” This assessment highlights the extreme peril faced by police as Montana fired at them from his property.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene where Montana threatened a neighbor with a handgun before retreating and shooting through a door, injuring one individual. As officers responded, Montana fired on them, forcing them to take cover. The police utilized a drone for surveillance in an attempt to assess the threat, as multiple volleys of gunfire rang out.
As the situation escalated, Captain Ken Chetcuti ordered officers to take action if they had a clear shot. Just after 6:20 PM, Officer Lee fired three rounds from an AR-15 rifle, striking Montana in the torso. The report notes that despite sustaining the injury, Montana attempted to aim a shotgun at officers, prompting further non-lethal measures before he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Police recovered several firearms from Montana, including a loaded Winchester 12-gauge shotgun and two handguns, alongside a blood-alcohol level measured at 0.153%, nearly double the legal limit. The district attorney concluded that all actions taken by Officer Lee were “objectively reasonable” given the immediate threats posed by Montana.
This incident raises critical discussions on police engagement in high-stakes situations and the measures taken to protect public safety. As investigations conclude, the focus shifts to community safety and the implications of such violent confrontations.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on the implications of police actions in emergency situations.
