A couple has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses including attempted first-degree murder following a shootout at a local Memphis restaurant. The incident unfolded at the Tequila Town Bar on White Station Road on Sunday, where Jose Montoya, 27, and his wife Judith Ramirez, 26, were escorted out for alleged irate behavior. Reacting to the ejection, Montoya was quoted as saying, "Y'all done f***** up now," before retrieving a firearm from his car and beginning an exchange of gunfire with a security guard, as reported by WREG.
In a statement obtained by Action News 5, the Memphis Police Department reported that a woman caught in the crossfire was shot in the back of the head and transported to a hospital in critical condition.
The couple fled the scene in a gray 2025 Kia Sportage, which was later found by officers near the airport area. A search of the vehicle revealed several spent bullet casings. Both Montoya and Ramirez were detained at a home also under investigation, where a search warrant yielded the suspected weapon used during the shooting. Montoya refused to give a statement during an investigation, while Ramirez offered conflicting statements, WREG reported. Montoya and Ramirez are due in court Monday morning, with bonds set at $250,000 and $300,000 respectively.
Following the shooting, community concerns have escalated over public safety, with one local, Randy Steele, remarking to FOX13 Memphis, "Those stray bullets don’t have any names on them." Another resident, Shun McLaurin, stressed the need for vigilance amidst a pattern of violence, saying, "It’s just not safe because you never know what people will do in this town. You got to be really careful, and pay attention to your surroundings."
Amidst the rise in shootings at eateries, local business owners have started ramping up security measures to safeguard patrons and staff. Matt Miller, of the Memphis Restaurant Association, explained the proactive steps being taken, such as employing security guards, improving lighting, and installing cameras. Miller told FOX13 Memphis, "Individual business owners have taken additional measures whether it's security guards, lightning, cameras, signing up for the Memphis Police Dept. We are trying to be proactive."
Tequila Town Bar has declined to comment about the situation when reached out by WREG.
