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“Go on, put a gun in your mouth and pull the tigger,” she wrote.
Many interpreted the comment as a direct call for the user to end their life—an appalling escalation that fueled outrage on both sides of the political spectrum.
Realizing the firestorm she had ignited, Montoya attempted damage control with a public apology on her social media accounts.
“I want to apologize for comments I made from my personal Facebook account a few months ago.
There are no words to express how awful, inappropriate, and unacceptable my comments were.
An exchange between an individual and myself got way out of hand, and in a moment of personal distress, I was completely out of line.
I was immediately disgusted with myself and knew I had crossed an unimaginable line. I sent a direct apology soon after.
I know better, but in that moment I failed. I know to reject the ugliness of certain emotions, and instead reach for kindness and compassion. But in that moment, I let personal distress overtake me. Since the incident, I have sought help to heal old wounds, learned from it, and am working daily to become a better person.
To those I’ve hurt and are disappointed in me, l am truly sorry. I humbly ask your forgiveness.”
Her words, however, did little to calm the storm already raging online.
By Tuesday evening, the controversy reached its peak. At the start of the Norman City Council meeting, Montoya made it official.
“I have served the community since 2008, and I am ready to pursue other opportunities. That being said, I am resigning immediate from Council Ward 3. Thank you, Ward 3. It’s been an honor to serve,” Montoya said before abruptly leaving the building.
Norman city officials later confirmed to KOCO News that Montoya was not forced out, noting that elected officials cannot be disciplined for protected speech.
“City Council members are not considered traditional employees of the city of Norman. As elected officials, they enjoy the same First Amendment protections as any other citizen. Therefore, city staff cannot take disciplinary action against council members for exercising those rights,” the city said in a statement.
Montoya’s resignation closes a chapter that began with one Facebook comment—and ended with a political career in ruins.
