Docs: WA man pistol-whips infant son, kidnaps family in high-speed pursuit

TACOMA, Wash. - A Tacoma man faces felony domestic violence charges after allegedly getting drunk and pistol-whipping his three-month-old son, then speeding from deputies with his girlfriend and son in the car.

Brian Ojeda Montufar, 25, has been charged with second-degree domestic violence assault of a child with a firearm, second-degree domestic violence assault with a firearm, two counts of first-degree domestic violence kidnapping, domestic violence felony kidnapping, attempting to elude police, and two counts of domestic violence reckless endangerment.

Court documents reveal the chilling series of events that unfolded Saturday. Prosecutors say Ojeda Montufar started drinking early that morning before allegedly pointing a gun at his girlfriend, and pistol-whipping their infant son, leaving him with a swollen cut to his head.

Fearing for their lives, Ojeda Montufar's girlfriend begged to take the baby to the hospital, but he refused, repeatedly threatening to kill them both. Documents say he allegedly told her, "I’m not going back to jail."

Brian Ojeda Montufar appears in court. (File / FOX 13)

Eventually, he agreed to leave, forcing her and the baby into his car. While driving recklessly through Tacoma, he continued to make murder-suicide threats.

During the drive, she managed to call 911, hiding her phone in the baby carrier. Dispatchers reported hearing her screams and pleas to "let me out" and "I need to go to the hospital."

Tacoma police tracked down Ojeda Montufar's Nissan, but he fled as soon as he spotted marked patrol vehicles. Officers pursued him through Tacoma at speeds of up to 65 mph, attempting two PIT maneuvers. The second attempt stopped the car in a Walmart parking lot, where Ojeda Montufar was arrested.

In court Monday, prosecutors outlined the severity of the charges during Ojeda Montufar's arraignment, noting his violent past, which includes multiple domestic violence convictions in 2019 and 2022, and a history of warrant activity in nine cases.

"The state believes, unless high bail is placed in this case, the defendant poses a risk not only to himself but to the mother and the child he threatened to kill," the prosecutor said.

Ojeda Montufar, who has also been charged with his third DUI, appeared unconcerned during the court hearing, at one point attempting to leave before officers directed him to sit. His defense entered not guilty pleas on all charges.

The judge sided with prosecutors, setting bail at $300,000. Ojeda Montufar is prohibited from contacting his girlfriend or their son and is banned from possessing firearms.

The infant was taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for evaluation.

For those experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org.

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