Woman Injured In Attack Requires 9 Staples To Her Wounds

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester police responded to a residence on Somerville Street on Monday for a reported assault.

When officers arrived at about 9:40 a.m., the victim told police a woman she knew had forced her way into her apartment and hit her in the head with a gun. The victim told police she was able to push the woman out the door and shut it.

The victim identified the woman as Tanisha Ozuna, 29, of Manchester, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Ozuna was taken into custody, accused of first-degree assault with a firearm, reckless conduct, criminal threatening, and burglary charges.

Ozuna appeared by video at an arraignment and bail hearing in Hillsborough Superior Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Attorney Cessna said Ozuna posed a danger and should be held in preventative detention. Information presented included that Ozuna went to the residence on Somerville Street to discuss jealousy about involvement with her significant other with the victim. Cessna said the incident occurred while the victim was holding a young child. Although the child was not injured, the victim required nine staples to treat a wound.

Attorney Adam Bernstein, who was representing Ozuna, presented significantly different information in the case.

Bernstein said Ozuna was the mother of three children aged 4, 7, and 8, and had no criminal record. She resides in a house owned by her mother on Beech Street where she lives with other family members but is the provider for the three children.

Bernstein said Ozuna did not use a firearm, but a staple gun was used in an effort of self-defense. Ozuna allegedly was attacked by the victim with a knife slicing her arm, and police said there was hair from Ozuna on the floor that had been pulled out. He said that police later found a firearm belonging to her significant other, and she was not in a possession of it.

Judge David Anderson presiding over the hearing agreed Ozuna should not be held on preventative detention and that the state had not met the burden of proof to show she was a danger.

Ozuna was released on personal recognizance bail will several stipulations. She must maintain a curfew and be in the Beech Street residence from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., not consume an excessive amount of alcohol, have no contact with the victim, and stay at least 300 feet from the victim. The additional condition added by Judge Anderson was that all firearms be removed from the Beech Street address, which is where the prosecution says the firearm came from.

“This woman’s alleged actions are bold and brazen, and extremely violent,” says Chief Allen Aldenberg. “ This behavior is alarming and for Ms Ozuna to be released on PR bail is incomprehensible.”

“I believe releasing Ms Ozuna on PR sends not only the wrong message, but puts the community in danger,” says Aldenberg.