UPDATE: A South San Francisco police officer has been officially cleared of any criminal liability in the April 28, 2023, shooting death of Brian Joseph Montana, a heavily armed man who engaged in a nearly half-hour gunfight with police. Authorities confirmed that Montana fired 63 rounds during the violent confrontation, which began when he threatened his neighbors over lawn debris.
The chilling incident unfolded on Arroyo Drive, where Montana, 60, had reportedly threatened to kill his neighbors before violently confronting them with multiple firearms. In a detailed report released by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, no charges were filed against Officer Jeffrey Lee, who delivered the fatal shot that ended the standoff.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe commended Officer Lee’s actions, stating, “His willingness to expose himself to repeated gunshots may have saved lives.” The report highlights the extreme danger officers faced, noting that only two out of the responding officers returned fire, demonstrating remarkable restraint amid the chaos.
The harrowing episode began around 6:00 PM when Montana was seen revving his car engine for 30 minutes, agitated by his neighbors’ lawn trimmings. When one neighbor approached to discuss the situation, Montana brandished a handgun, prompting a 911 call from the neighbor’s wife. Montana then unleashed a barrage of gunfire, striking one neighbor and forcing the police to take cover.
As the situation escalated, Montana attempted to force his way into the neighbors’ home, shooting through the front door and injuring the man inside. Officers were pinned down by Montana’s gunfire and had to deploy a drone to assess the situation. Despite calls for Montana to surrender, he continued to fire, resulting in a tense back-and-forth exchange of gunfire.
At approximately 6:20 PM, Officer Lee, stationed at a distance of 75 yards, fired three shots from his AR-15 rifle, striking Montana and causing him to fall. Even after being hit, Montana attempted to aim a shotgun at the officers before collapsing. In response, police fired bean bags and pepper balls to assess his threat level.
Montana was pronounced dead at the scene roughly 30 minutes after the initial confrontation. Authorities recovered multiple firearms, including a loaded Winchester shotgun and a Kimber .45 caliber handgun. An autopsy revealed that Montana had consumed prescription drugs and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.153%, nearly twice the legal limit for driving.
This incident underscores the challenging and dangerous environments police officers often face. The District Attorney concluded that Officer Lee’s actions were “objectively reasonable” given the circumstances. As investigations continue, the community remains shaken by the violent confrontation, reflecting a broader dialogue on public safety and police response in critical situations.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
