UPDATE: A South San Francisco police officer has been cleared of criminal liability in the fatal shooting of 60-year-old Brian Joseph Montana, who engaged in a nearly half-hour gunfight with police on April 28, 2023. Authorities confirm that Montana, armed with multiple weapons, threatened neighbors and shot at them before being fatally shot by Officer Jeffrey Lee.
The chaotic incident began around 5:30 PM on Arroyo Drive when Montana, reportedly upset over lawn clippings, threatened to kill his neighbors. Armed with a rifle and two handguns, he fired multiple shots, wounding one neighbor and forcing a desperate call to 911. As police arrived, they faced a barrage of gunfire from Montana, who fired a staggering 63 rounds during the confrontation.
In a report released by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, officials praised Officer Lee for his actions during the harrowing scene. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe stated, “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 of innocent victims.” The report highlighted that only two officers returned fire, showcasing “great restraint” under extreme conditions.
The violent standoff escalated quickly. After Montana fired at responding officers, they were forced to take cover. Officers utilized a drone to assess the situation, calling out to Montana to drop his weapons, only to be met with more gunfire. More than 20 minutes into the altercation, Lee maneuvered an armored van closer to Montana’s position under the direction of Captain Ken Chetcuti.
At 6:20 PM, Lee fired three rounds from a distance of 75 yards, hitting Montana in the torso. Despite being injured, Montana attempted to aim his shotgun at the officers. In an effort to determine if he was still a threat, police deployed bean bags and pepper balls. Tragically, Montana was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter.
Authorities recovered an arsenal of weapons, including a loaded Winchester 12-gauge shotgun and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun. An autopsy revealed that Montana had a blood-alcohol level of 0.153%, nearly double the legal limit for driving, and had consumed prescription drugs.
With the District Attorney’s report concluding that Lee acted “objectively reasonable based on the facts and circumstances known to him at the time,” the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this violent encounter.
As this situation continues to unfold, residents are urged to stay informed and vigilant. The South San Francisco Police Department is expected to release further statements regarding the incident and any community safety measures in place moving forward.