A married couple in Tennessee were arrested over the weekend for allegedly shooting a woman in the back of the head at a restaurant after they were reportedly kicked out for being “irate.”
Jose Montoya, 27, and his wife, Judith Ramirez, 26, were arrested on Sunday and charged with one count each of attempted first-degree murder, using a firearm to commit a felony, and vandalism ranging from $10,000 to $60,000, according to court records.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, just after midnight on June 15, 2025, officers from the Memphis Police Department responded to reports of an aggravated assault at Tequila Town Bar on the 700 block of North Whitestation Road. Upon arrival, first responders spoke with a male who was working security at the time of the alleged incident.
The security guard said he was working late Saturday evening when the bar owner informed him that Montoya was “acting irate inside the establishment.” When a security guard approached Montoya and told him to “calm down,” Montoya allegedly “became aggressive” towards the guard, who then “escorted him outside of the establishment with his wife,” later identified as Ramirez.
“During the Escort, Montoya said ‘Y’all done f— up now,'” the affidavit states. “Judith stated that she opened the door, and Montoya removed a firearm from the vehicle. [The security guard] stated that he saw Jose go to his vehicle, retrieve a firearm, and start shooting at him. [The security guard] fired back in self-defense. Throughout the shooting, Montoya reloaded his firearm several times and continued shooting at [the security guard]. Both Ramirez and Montoya fled the scene without aiding the victim.
Police say the couple fled in a gray 2025 Kia SUV with Tennessee license plates.
Staff at the bar also informed police that a female patron was “shot in the back of the head” during the altercation. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Police did not immediately respond to Law&Crime’s inquiry about the victim’s current condition.
In addition to the injured victim, Montoya’s bullets struck multiple cars in the area, according to police.
Investigators were able to track down the couple after noticing their car in the driveway of a home in the 3000 block of Josibpet Lane. Police searched the vehicle and discovered numerous spent bullet casings, according to authorities. Police said they found a black and green handgun suspected of being used in the shooting in a pickup truck at the same address.
Montoya and Ramirez were found inside the house and arrested. The two are currently being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond. They are scheduled to appear for a hearing in the case on Tuesday morning.
