Man Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting of Cousin Over Enchilada Spice Level
Ervin Gutierrez, 22, faces an open murder charge in the death of Nathaniel Cavazos after an argument over enchiladas turned violent. Police say the two had been drinking and fought, and a witness claims Gutierrez shot Cavazos as he walked away. Gutierrez was arrested Friday and is held without bond.
The shooting occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at an Albuquerque apartment complex, where responding officers found Cavazos unresponsive on a walkway between buildings. The men had spent the afternoon together, buying groceries and cooking green enchiladas while drinking. A cousin who witnessed the events told police the dispute began when Gutierrez insisted the chile on his plate was hotter than Cavazos's, challenging him to taste it.
After the fistfight left Gutierrez bleeding, Cavazos turned away unarmed. Gutierrez fired multiple rounds into his back, then fled. Investigators later recovered a handgun belonging to Cavazos roughly 30 feet from his body, and a Snapchat message showed Gutierrez expressing regret while claiming self-defense.
This case may highlight how quickly alcohol and trivial domestic disputes can escalate into lethal violence, particularly in households where firearms are present. It could renew public discussion about conflict resolution and gun access among young adults, and may affect how families and communities view the role of alcohol in escalating everyday arguments. The circumstances could also influence how prosecutors weigh self-defense claims when the victim was retreating and unarmed.