An Albuquerque man has been taken into custody and charged with murder following a fatal shooting that stemmed from an escalating dispute over the spice level of green chile enchiladas, according to law enforcement records and court documents. The incident, which unfolded late last month, highlights how an evening of drinking and cooking rapidly deteriorated into extreme violence between family members.
Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez, 22, is facing an open count of murder in connection with the August 27 killing of his 25-year-old cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos, at an Albuquerque apartment complex, as reported by NBC News. Albuquerque police apprehended Gutierrez on Friday evening, subsequently booking him into the Metropolitan Detention Center shortly after midnight on Saturday, jail records show.
The Dispute Over Green Chile Enchiladas
The two men, alongside another cousin who later witnessed the unfolding tragedy, went out to purchase groceries before returning to the apartment to prepare green enchiladas while consuming alcohol.
Investigators stated that tension flared when Gutierrez repeatedly insisted that the chile on his portion of the enchiladas was hotter than the chile on Cavazos’ plate, challenging him to taste the difference. Cavazos countered that because they had all eaten the same enchiladas, the spice level should be identical. The disagreement persisted even after the third cousin suggested they step outside to walk a dog.
Physical Altercation and Fatal Shooting
The argument eventually erupted into a physical fight outside the apartment buildings. According to the eyewitness account provided to police, Cavazos struck Gutierrez, leaving him bleeding before the altercation subsided and Cavazos began walking away.
Investigators noted that a handgun belonging to Cavazos was later recovered at least 10 yards away from his body. However, the witness reported that as Cavazos was walking away unarmed and roughly 10 feet distant, Gutierrez drew a handgun and confronted him, shouting, “We’re family! We’re family! How could you do this to me?”
Gutierrez then fired three or four shots, striking Cavazos in the back before fleeing the scene, according to the warrant affidavit. Albuquerque police officers responding to the emergency call shortly before 11 p.m. discovered Cavazos unresponsive in a pool of blood on a walkway between the apartment complexes; he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the shooting, the witness showed investigators a Snapchat message in which Gutierrez allegedly wrote, “Is he really dead? I did not want to kill him but i didn’t want him to kill me,” adding that Cavazos had threatened his life. Gutierrez later turned himself in to local authorities.
If you or someone you know is affected by violence or experiencing a crisis, confidential support is available through local community resources and crisis intervention services.
Legal proceedings for Gutierrez are ongoing at the Metropolitan Detention Center as the investigation continues. We invite readers to share their thoughts or civil comments on this developing case below.
