A U.S. Marine lost his life after being fatally stabbed during a large altercation in North Carolina. Graphic videos showing him bleeding on the pavement have raised questions about the response from police officers.
According to the Wilmington Police Department, 21-year-old Daniel Montano was one of two individuals stabbed when a significant fight erupted in downtown Wilmington shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Social media clips reveal men grappling in the street as police arrived, with officers using pepper spray to attempt to control the situation.
In the chilling footage, Montano can be seen crouching on the sidewalk in a pool of blood, urgently gesturing toward his injured neck while officers rush to assist him.
As the officers scrambled, a bystander ran up, removed his shirt, and applied it to Montano’s neck in a desperate attempt to stem the blood flow.
Both victims were quickly taken to Novant-New Hanover Regional Medical Center with severe injuries, but unfortunately, Montano succumbed to his wounds.
Montano, a lieutenant, was stationed with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines at Camp Lejeune. His sister, Evelyn Montano from San Bernardino, California, created a fundraising page for the family’s funeral and memorial service.
“He was not only dedicated to his country but was greatly cherished by his family,” she expressed. “He meant so much more to us than just a Marine; he was a son, a brother, and a source of light in our lives.”
“We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers as we face this unimaginable loss,” she added.
Downtown Wilmington is roughly 110 miles away from Camp Lejeune and is often visited by Marines from this large base.
Police have circulated images of a “person of interest” in the case—a man with dreadlocks, wearing a denim jacket, jeans, a pink T-shirt, and white shoes with blue and red designs.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to reach out as the investigation unfolds.
The Wilmington Police Department is under significant scrutiny regarding its response, with a recent report detailing concerns about their actions during the incident.
Wilmington Police Chief Ryan Zuidema defended the actions of the responding officers, arguing that the brief 41-second viral video doesn’t fully capture the complexities of the situation.
“They don’t know who’s who,” he stated, referring to the chaos. “They see a fight but don’t immediately recognize the suspect versus the victim.”
Zuidema noted that one officer was affected by the pepper spray while another followed protocol by donning gloves before calling for an ambulance.
He emphasized they were still evaluating the scene.
“We didn’t know if there were additional victims, if the assailant was still present; it was an overwhelming scenario,” Zuidema explained.
“I understand the concerns,” he added. “But I assure you, the officers did their best given the circumstances.”
The involved officers are currently on paid leave while the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation takes over the case.
The newspaper has reached out to the Wilmington Police Department for further comments.
