The Richmond community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 27-year-old Marine veteran Angelo Montaño, whose life was tragically cut short during a police shooting last week. The incident, which occurred after a tense standoff at a Richmond apartment, has sparked grief, questions, and calls for accountability.
According to Richmond Police Chief Bisa French, officers were dispatched following a 911 call from Montaño’s brother, who reported that Angelo was armed with a knife and threatening to kill both him and their mother. The family says they sought help for Angelo, who was struggling with mental health issues, and never expected the call to end in lethal force.
Police body camera footage, released Monday, shows officers waiting for a less-lethal option before attempting to enter the residence. Moments later, Montaño bursts out of the apartment holding what appeared to be two knives. Officers issued repeated commands to stop, but when Angelo advanced toward them, they opened fire.
Chief French stated, “Despite multiple commands to halt, the individual continued to advance toward the officers.” She emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that the department is committed to transparency.
Civil rights attorney John Burris, who met with Montaño’s grieving family, criticized the officers’ actions, arguing that the situation could have been de-escalated. “They called for assistance, not lethal action,” Burris said. “They communicated that he had mental health problems. That is a call for help, not a plea for death.”
The case has drawn additional scrutiny because one of the officers involved, Officer Nicholas Remick, was connected to another fatal shooting earlier this year as well as a separate use-of-force incident in May. Burris expressed deep concern over the pattern, stating, “It’s troubling, especially in such a short period of time. It suggests to me that this officer may be out of control.”
Richmond Police Lt. Donald Patchin pointed to the urgency of the 911 call, noting that the brother’s plea—“send the officers now, he has armed himself with a knife”—highlighted the danger they believed they faced.
While the official investigation continues, the tragedy has reignited conversations about mental health crisis response, police training, and the use of force. Montaño’s loved ones insist that he needed compassion and professional intervention, not deadly confrontation.
To honor his memory, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign, remembering Angelo as a proud Marine, a devoted son, a caring brother, and a loving father. Friends and relatives describe him as a man with a strong spirit and a deep love for his family—someone who served his country with honor and deserved more than the way his story ended.
As his family navigates this devastating loss, the community continues to demand answers, hoping that Angelo’s death will lead to meaningful change in how law enforcement handles mental health crises.
May Angelo Montaño be remembered for his service, his love, and the life he lived—not only for the tragedy that took him too soon.
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