A family argument over green chile enchiladas allegedly turned deadly in New Mexico after a 22-year-old man was accused of shooting and killing his own cousin.
According to court documents and reports, Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez, 22, is accused of fatally shooting his cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos, 25, following an argument that reportedly started while family members were drinking and cooking together.
The bizarre dispute allegedly centered around the green chile enchiladas being prepared by the cousins.
Authorities say the situation eventually escalated from a verbal argument into a physical confrontation. A witness reportedly told investigators that Cavazos punched Gutierrez during the altercation.
But things allegedly took a deadly turn shortly afterward.
According to investigators, Cavazos was walking away from the confrontation when Gutierrez allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots. Authorities say Cavazos was struck approximately three to four times in the back.
Cavazos died at the scene.
Following the shooting, investigators reportedly uncovered messages Gutierrez allegedly sent to another cousin through Snapchat. In the messages, he reportedly asked whether Cavazos was actually dead and claimed that he never intended to kill his cousin.
Gutierrez allegedly told the relative that he believed Cavazos was going to kill him, suggesting that he acted because he feared for his own life.
However, investigators are now tasked with determining exactly what happened during the confrontation and whether Gutierrez’s claim of self-defense is supported by the evidence.
Gutierrez was arrested on August 29 and is facing an open count of murder, according to reports. He remained in custody as of September 2.
The case has drawn attention online because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged motive. What reportedly began as a disagreement over something as simple as who made the better or spicier green chile enchiladas ended with one family member dead and another facing a potential murder conviction.
The incident is also a reminder of how quickly arguments can spiral out of control when alcohol, weapons and physical confrontations become involved.
Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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