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Chicken mole enchiladas at Landing Casa Del Rio, in New Richmond with a photo of a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign in the top right corner
Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez of Albuquerque, New Mexico is facing murder charges after he allegedly shot and killed his cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos, following an argument over whose green chile enchiladas were spicier.
Gutierrez, 22, was reportedly charged with an open count of murder in the Aug. 27 killing of the 25-year-old Cavazos.
Police responded to reports of gunfire around 11 p.m., and when they arrived at the scene Cavazos was already unresponsive on a walkway outside the complex, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Cavazos reportedly died at the scene.
What Led To New Mexico Enchilada Murder?
So, what exactly led Gutierrez to elevate things from an argument over enchiladas to alleged murder?
According to investigators, a man who claims to be cousins with both men stated that the group spent the afternoon drinking alcohol and cooking green chile enchiladas.
While they were eating dinner, Gutierrez began to insist that the green chile, which is native to New Mexico, on his enchiladas was spicier than the chile on Cavazos’ plate. He then challenged Cavazos to try it. Cavazos, however, stated that all the enchiladas were made the same and were equally spicy.
This seemed to set Gutierrez off. The dispute between the two spilled out of the apartment building and escalated to the point where Cavazos punched Gutierrez, causing him to bleed.
The fight died does and Cavazos began to walk away before Gutierrez allegedly drew a handgun and confronted him, shouting, “We’re family! We’re family! How could you do this to me?” before firing multiple rounds at Cavazos.
Police state that Gutierrez shot the unarmed Cavazos in the back three to four times in the back from roughly 10 feet away. Cavazos did allegedly possess a handgun that was found near his body. However, witnesses report that he did not draw it during the altercation.
According to the witness, Gutierrez sent him Snapchat messages the following day asking, “Is he really dead?” and claiming that Cavazos had previously threatened his life.
“I did not want to kill him but i didn’t want him to kill me,” he allegedly wrote.
Gutierrez then turned himself in to Albuquerque police.