LOS ANGELES : Father Recounts Troubles of Man Slain at Marathon

A man who was killed when he attacked police near the Los Angeles Marathon finish line had many troubles and was depressed, according to his father.

Darryl Montgomery, 30, lost his job as a machinist in 1988, then his mother died and his wife divorced him, Vernon Montgomery said. The younger Montgomery also suffered a broken hip in a traffic accident and couldn’t work for six months, then could not find work and had to live with a sister while collecting welfare.

“Because of the stress he’s been under, especially with the layoff, he couldn’t seem to get things going,” his father said. Darryl Montgomery was killed Sunday when he charged two officers and tried to take a gun.

Coroner’s tests for drugs and alcohol are pending. Vernon Montgomery said that his son’s companion that day, Kevin Gilliam, had told him they were not drinking or using drugs. The father said he thinks his son could have been subdued without force, but he will reserve judgment on the shooting until he sees the coroner’s report.