From Twitter
……a widely discussed self-defense incident that occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 24, 2021. The video, which has circulated online, shows a confrontation between two men: Benjamin Backus, the shooter, and Michael Montanarella, the aggressor. Here’s the broader context and story behind this event.The incident took place around 5:30 a.m. near Greenway Road and 28th Street. Backus, then 31, stepped outside his home and was confronted by Montanarella, a 32-year-old former neighbor. The two had a history—once friends, their relationship deteriorated due to Montanarella’s struggles with addiction, possibly alcohol or drugs, and escalating tensions. Reports suggest Montanarella had become paranoid, believing Backus was stalking or plotting against him, which led to prior threats and a restraining order against Montanarella.In the viral video, Montanarella is seen aggressively approaching Backus, taunting him with phrases like “scrap like a man, bitch” (sometimes misheard or rephrased as “strap like a man, bitch” in online discussions), daring him to fight. Backus, legally armed and carrying a concealed firearm, repeatedly warns Montanarella to stop and get down, backing away as the aggressor closes in. Montanarella ignores the commands, continuing to advance and reportedly reaching toward his waistband—where Backus knew he had previously kept weapons, like a Sig pistol or a .40 Smith & Wesson. Fearing for his life, Backus fires a single shot, striking Montanarella in the leg or lower body. Montanarella collapses, screaming in pain—“ow, ow, ow”—as captured in the footage.Backus later recounted the event on a podcast with Active Self Protection (ASP), explaining that he only shot when he believed Montanarella was reaching for a weapon, a fear heightened by their history and Montanarella’s erratic behavior. The video shows a knife in Montanarella’s waistband, though it’s unclear if he was actually going for it. Montanarella died at the scene from the gunshot wound.Phoenix police investigated and deemed the shooting justified self-defense under Arizona’s “stand your ground” laws, which allow individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe their life is in imminent danger. No charges were filed against Backus.
One less nutbag in the gene pool.