During the chaotic exchange, officers returned fire and ultimately struck the guitarist, bringing the shootout to an end. Montana was pronounced dead at the scene. One nearby resident suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, but no officers were reported seriously harmed.
Montana was known among heavy-metal fans for his early role in Possessed, a band widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the death-metal genre during the 1980s. His guitar work helped shape the aggressive sound that influenced countless metal acts in the decades that followed.
Although Montana left the group before the band released its debut album, his involvement during the early years of Possessed contributed to the development of a musical movement that would later gain worldwide recognition.
