Albuquerque man charged with killing cousin after enchilada dispute

A family gathering in Albuquerque, New Mexico, ended in a fatal shooting after a dispute over the spiciness of enchiladas. Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez, 22, is charged with murder following the death of his 25-year-old cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos.

According to court documents and witness statements, the incident occurred on the night of August 27 during a family meal involving green chile enchiladas and alcohol. A verbal argument regarding who had prepared the spicier dish reportedly escalated into a physical altercation. A witness, also a cousin of both men, stated that Gutierrez allegedly shouted, ‘We’re family! We’re family! How could you do this to me?’ before shooting Cavazos in the back three to four times as the victim attempted to walk away.

Gutierrez, who had traveled from Roswell to participate in the gathering, allegedly fled the scene before police arrived. He was arrested on August 29. Following the shooting, Gutierrez reportedly used Snapchat to ask family members if Cavazos was dead, claiming that he acted in self-defense because Cavazos had threatened him first.