Overview
- The fatal stabbing unfolded early Sunday after fights erupted around 2 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, leaving Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano, 21, mortally wounded and a second man injured.
- A short video shared online shows officers using pepper spray to break up the brawl as a bystander presses a shirt to Montano’s neck before police move in to help.
- Detectives released surveillance photos of a person of interest described as a Black man in a fleece‑lined denim jacket, pink shirt, and white sneakers, and asked anyone with tips or video from midnight to 3 a.m. to call.
- Chief Ryan Zuidema said the clip lacks context, noting one officer was exposed to pepper spray and others followed medical steps like calling for gloves and EMS, while local reports say the involved officers are on paid leave.
- Montano’s family identified him as a Camp Lejeune Marine from San Bernardino and launched a GoFundMe for funeral costs, and police said the second victim was later found and stabilized with a tourniquet.