A Tennessee couple has been arrested after allegedly shooting a woman in the back of the head following an altercation at a Memphis restaurant.
Jose Montoya, 27, and his wife, 26-year-old Judith Ramirez, were taken into custody and face multiple charges after the shooting at Tequila Town Bar on June 15, 2025.
Incident at Tequila Town Bar
Around midnight on June 15, officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to reports of an aggravated assault at Tequila Town Bar, located on North Whitestation Road.
The security guard working at the bar that night told police that Montoya had been acting “irate” inside the establishment. After being approached by the guard and told to calm down, Montoya allegedly became aggressive. The guard then escorted Montoya and his wife outside.
Before they left, Montoya reportedly told the guard, “Y’all done f— up now.” According to the security guard’s statement, Judith Ramirez opened the door to a vehicle, allowing Montoya to retrieve a firearm.
Montoya then allegedly began firing shots at the guard, who returned fire in self-defense. Montoya reloaded his weapon multiple times and continued shooting, while both he and Ramirez fled the scene.
The Shooting of an Innocent Bystander
During the gunfire exchange, a female patron at the bar was tragically shot in the back of the head. The woman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.
Authorities have not yet provided an update on her current condition. Additionally, several cars in the area were struck by stray bullets during the violent incident.
Fleeing the Scene and Arrest
After the shooting, Montoya and Ramirez fled the scene in a gray 2025 Kia SUV with Tennessee plates. Investigators tracked the couple’s vehicle to a residence on Josibpet Lane, where they found both Montoya and Ramirez.
Police also recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting, along with spent bullet casings from the scene.
Both Montoya and Ramirez were arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, employing a firearm in the commission of a felony, and vandalism causing damage between $10,000 and $60,000.
They are currently being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond. A court hearing for the couple is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of escalating disputes and the violence that can arise when individuals bring firearms into heated confrontations.
The couple now faces serious charges, and the victim remains in critical condition as authorities continue to investigate the events surrounding the shooting.
