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The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on Friday cleared two Richmond police officers in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old man experiencing a mental health crisis, ruling the use of deadly force was justified and closing a case that has roiled the city for nearly seven months.
Officers Nicholas Remick and Colton Stocking shot and killed Angel Alexander Montaño Magallan on August 4, 2025, at his family's Richmond apartment after his brother called 911 to report Montaño was armed with a knife and threatening to kill him and their mother. Montaño had a history of mental illness, had been off his medication since mid-2024, and when asked if Montaño had hurt anyone, his brother told dispatchers: "Not yet, but he will."
Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underway
Richmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a
Soren Hemmila
Six officers staged nearby while waiting for a 40mm less-lethal launcher. Body camera footage shows Remick telling colleagues they did not need to enter "as of now." That changed at 5:09 p.m., when dispatch reported Montaño had armed himself with a second knife, and a woman inside could be heard screaming. Officers moved to the door without the less-lethal launcher, fearing an active stabbing.
When Remick pushed open the front door, Montaño, holding a knife in each hand, turned and charged. Officers yelled "stop" three times. Remick retreated off the landing. Both officers opened fire. Montaño was struck multiple times and died at the scene. Family members inside were unharmed.
The brother told investigators he hoped police would use a non-lethal weapon. The mother, breaking down in tears, asked investigators why officers shot her son when he did not have a gun.
Richmond Police address shooting at press conference
At a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fatally shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands. French read from a prepared statement describing the officer-involved shooting on August 4 that killed Montaño
Linda Hemmila
The DA's report found the officers acted in lawful self-defense.
"After a review of all available facts, the District Attorney's Office finds that the use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances," the report states. No charges will be filed.
The shooting drew immediate community outcry and fueled months of conflict between the police union, city officials, and elected leaders. Despite department psychologists clearing both officers for duty, city leadership kept Remick and Stocking on paid off-duty status.
In a February 6 letter to City Manager Shasa Curl, union attorney Jonathan Murphy warned the delay was "unjustifiable" and exposed the city to "significant legal risk." RPOA President Ben Therriault called the city manager's continued inaction "a complete failure of leadership."
Council approves new policy for officer-involved shooting communications, adjusts meeting schedule
The Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings. The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules
Soren Hemmila
The shooting prompted the city council to adopt new transparency rules requiring press releases within 24 hours of officer-involved shootings and regular public updates on investigations. The city also launched a study of gaps in its mental health crisis response.
The DA's report is available on the Contra Costa District Attorney's website.
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