Angel Montano Obituary, Death News – The family of a man fatally shot by Richmond police earlier this week has identified him as 27-year-old Angel Montano, a Marine Reserve officer who, according to relatives, had been facing mental health challenges.
Montano’s cousin, Adrian Maciel, visited the scene of the shooting on Tuesday, leaving a candle in memory of his cousin. Speaking emotionally, Maciel recalled Montano asking him for help a few months ago in hopes of finding a job. Though Maciel tried to assist, the opportunity didn’t materialize, and now he is left with a sense of guilt.
Maciel described Montano as once being proud of his role in the Marine Reserves but said he had been under immense mental strain recently. “People get stuck in their own little world, and they can’t get out of it,” he said, reflecting on his cousin’s state of mind.
According to Richmond police, officers responded around 5 p.m. Monday to a 911 call reporting a man inside a home threatening to kill others while armed with a knife. When officers arrived, they found Montano standing outside his apartment holding two knives. Police say he confronted the officers, prompting them to open fire.
Maciel believes the officers could have handled the situation differently and without lethal force. “A guy that has a domestic dispute, a knife—you don’t go there to shoot to kill,” he said. “You go to calm the person down.”
Richmond Police Chief Bisa French addressed the incident, acknowledging that officer-involved shootings are “very difficult” and not taken lightly. Speaking at a National Night Out community event, she confirmed that the two officers involved had each served less than five years on the force. As per protocol, both have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
The shooting is now under review by multiple entities, including the Richmond Police Department, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, and the city’s police commission. Chief French emphasized the department’s commitment to transparency and said updates would be provided as investigations continue.
Montano leaves behind a young daughter and a grieving family who say they never imagined he would die in this way. Maciel expressed a mix of sadness and frustration over the situation. “I’m angry for what happened, knowing that it could have been done differently,” he said.
To help with funeral costs, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign. They hope the tragedy sheds light on the need for better responses to mental health crises, especially among veterans.
