A 47-year-old man was arrested after police said he strangled a woman, threatened to kill her with a handgun, and later flashing the weapon at her juvenile son during a domestic violence incident Saturday, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Police identified the suspect as Basilio Jesus Montes.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a physical domestic violence disturbance involving a firearm. Police said Montes and the victim had been in a dating relationship for 11 years and had three children together.

Police said Montes arrived at the apartment to drop off a box of diapers for one of their children before entering the victim’s bedroom and closing the door. He asked where their car was and whether her boyfriend had it, according to police.

After the victim told Montes the car was not there and she would not give it back to him, Montes lifted his shirt and displayed a black handgun tucked into the front of his waistband, police said. He then threatened to kill her.

Montes grabbed the victim by the throat and applied pressure for about 10 minutes, leaving her unable to breathe and feeling dizzy, police said. He then pushed her onto the bed and pushed her face when she tried to get up, causing minor redness below both eyes.

Victim’s Son Punched

The victim’s juvenile son entered the bedroom and pushed Montes away from her, police said. Montes then punched the boy in the face, although police said the juvenile did not have visible injuries.

Montes left the apartment and ran through the apartment complex as the juvenile chased him, according to police. Montes then turned around, lifted his shirt, and displayed the handgun at the juvenile before fleeing.

Police said the victim also had a yellowish bruise on her face from an alleged assault several days earlier in which Montes punched her. She had not previously reported that incident.

Montes was later found at his sister’s home in the 5100 block of North Fresno Street and taken into custody without incident, police said.

He was booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges related to the domestic violence investigation.

How to Get Help

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, help is available at the Marjaree Mason Center 24-Hour Crisis Helpline, (559) 233-HELP, or by calling 1-(800)-799-SAFE.

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