PHOENIX (AZFamily) — New developments have emerged in the investigation of a fatal bar fight in downtown Phoenix, where a man died after being punched by a security guard outside Club Dwntwn. For nearly eight months, the guard’s identity remained undisclosed to the public.
Arizona’s Family has now confirmed the guard as 39-year-old Charles “Brandon” Recor—a far-right YouTuber, Proud Boys member, and repeat felony offender with a criminal history dating back more than two decades.
Cellphone footage from March 16 shows 22-year-old Rafael Montoya lying on the pavement, gasping for air as bystanders plead with two off-duty Phoenix police officers working security to help him.
“They saw him not breathing, so why didn’t anyone do anything?” said Alisha Morgan, the mother of Montoya’s daughter.
Despite standing only feet away, the officers did not intervene, did not detain Recor, and did not render immediate medical aid. Montoya died three days later from traumatic brain injuries. His family says he leaves behind a young daughter.
“He’s not going to see his daughter go to kindergarten, middle school, high school,” a family member said. “That was a big thing for him.”
Arizona’s Family has confirmed that Recor is the man who delivered the punch seen on videos from that night.
Recor gained online notoriety for his YouTube channel, “That’s the Point,” where he frequently filmed himself provoking confrontations at political rallies across the country. His channel amassed more than 15,000 subscribers.
In one video posted just two months ago, Recor openly references his involvement with the Proud Boys. “Yeah, we were doing that as the model chapter of the Proud Boys in L.A. That’s what we were doing in Skid Row,” he said in a video.
A lengthy and violent criminal past
Recor’s criminal history includes convictions for:
• Assault
• Burglary
• Identity theft
• Drug charges involving heroin, cocaine and anabolic steroids
Despite this, he was working security the night Montoya was denied entry to the club. It remains unclear how he was hired, as Arizona law prohibits individuals with certain felony convictions from obtaining a security guard license.
For years, Recor built an online identity defined by confrontation as he shoved, taunted, and brawled with protesters from California to Washington, D.C. His targets included Pride marchers, immigrants’ rights activists, and religious groups.
Followers on his channel have recently been asking when he will “return,” as his output has slowed dramatically.
No homicide charges in Montoya’s death
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced on Friday that her office has reviewed more than 70 videos from the night of the incident.
She said the encounter appears to be “mutual combat,” stating that evidence shows Montoya instigated fights with security after being denied entry.
She also said investigators cannot determine which blow led to Montoya’s death.
After weighing potential defenses, including claims of self-defense, Mitchell announced a homicide case couldn’t move forward.
However, she confirmed that a forgery allegation involving Recor’s security license has been forwarded to Phoenix Police for further investigation.
Recor has not been reachable for comment.
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