Suspect in latest theater attack had psychological issues

The former Marine entered the darkened theater, with the movie still playing, and encountered Montano, who appeared to be shooting at him. He said officers were directed to theater 4. Sandy Phillips and her husband no longer celebrate Thanksgiving because it falls so near her… Montano entered the theatre showing “Mad Max: Fury Road” and discharged a large amount of pepper spray at the audience.

A search of two bags he had carried with him recovered a propane canister and lighter fluid suggesting that he may have wanted to use it to set off an explosion, police said.

So far this year, about a quarter of the people shot and killed by police have had a history of mental illness, according to a Washington Post database tracking such deaths.

“This individual has had significant psychiatric or psychological issues”, Aaron said.

They added Montano hurled several items at the officers, including pepper spray cannisters, a propane cannister with a gash in it, and the airsoft pistol. The officer shot back, then backed off but, Aaron said, the officer kept the gunman confined to a single theater in the complex. At that time, Vincente Montano said he needed protection from his brother, Gerald Moore.

Officer Frith, who is now considered a hero for his quick response, credits the police department for training officers what to do in those type of situations. Officers reported that Montano was hurling things at them and some said they heard “pops” as if from a small-caliber weapon, Aaron said.

Montano was shot dead by police after they said he pointed a gun at an officer. Montano was struck and killed.

Aaron said the responding officer thought the gun was real and that he heard popping noises when Montano pulled the trigger, prompting him to fire his service weapon.

It was impossible to tell whether the bullet hit Montano.

Aaron also said that the women said Montano “was staring them down” before dousing them with pepper spray.

Police Chief Steve Anderson told reporters that the contents of Montano’s backpack were designed to resemble a bomb but did not contain anything risky. He was institutionalized four times since 2004, the same year police arrested him for assault.

Aaron said Montano was committed in Rutherford County at least three times in the past, and was committed at least once out of state. Police took Montano to a mental hospital for an evaluation, though the results are unclear.

Public records obtained by The Tennessean on Thursday provide details about Montano’s background and interactions with police, and his past mental health issues.

This undated photo released by the Metro Nashville Police Department shows Vincente Montano, the attacker at a movie theater in Antioch, Tenn., Wednesday, August 5, 2015.

Montano’s last involvement with Murfreesboro PD was Sunday when police received a missing persons report from Pruett, who reportedly lives in Florida now.

Aaron said the suspect’s mother recently called police about her son while visiting a relative in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles from Nashville.

In February of that year, Denise Pruett told officers he was destructive and broke a coffee table and jewelry box. Police came into their neighborhood searching for Montano. Three people were hurt when the suspect unleashed pepper spray in the auditorium. We can’t just shut down America, we can’t say we’re not going to theaters, we can’t say we’re not going to church.