A man in New Mexico has been arrested following the tragic shooting of his cousin during a family gathering. Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez, aged 22, stands accused of taking the life of 25-year-old Nathaniel Cavazos after an argument escalated over the merits of their respective enchilada recipes. The incident reportedly unfolded in Albuquerque, where family members had gathered to enjoy food and drinks together.
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According to court documents, the confrontation arose as the family cooked green chile enchiladas. Witnesses noted that Gutierrez and Cavazos began debating which of their dishes was spicier, prompting a verbal disagreement that spiralled out of control. A cousin of both men stated that the dispute turned physical as tensions grew. This altercation took place in an apartment complex on the evening of August 27.
During the argument, Gutierrez allegedly expressed disbelief at his cousin’s actions, exclaiming, “We’re family! We’re family! How could you do this to me?” Reports suggest that as Cavazos attempted to leave the situation, he was shot multiple times in the back by Gutierrez from a distance of approximately ten feet. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Gutierrez fled the scene before police arrived shortly after the shooting was reported around 11 p.m.
Cavazos tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Following the incident, it is reported that Gutierrez reached out to family members via Snapchat. He allegedly questioned if Cavazos was indeed dead and claimed that his cousin had threatened him first. In messages, he purportedly stated, “I did not want to kill him but I didn’t want him to kill me,” suggesting that he believed he acted in self-defence.
After being taken into custody on August 29, Gutierrez has been charged with an open count of murder. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation. He is presently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting further legal proceedings.
Family members of the deceased paid tribute to Cavazos during a recent vigil. Friends and acquaintances described him as a compassionate individual who always offered assistance when needed. One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted Cavazos’s kind nature, stating, “He would help every single person around here, from our other residents to our disabled residents to helping them walk downstairs.”
Expressions of sorrow were palpable at the vigil, where attendees grappled with the shocking turn of events. One neighbour, Savannah, conveyed her dismay: “It’s sad. It’s very sad that such a kind person was taken due to violence. It’s just something that you don’t really think could happen, especially so close to home.”
Cavazos’s relatives, who were also present, mourned the loss of a beloved family member. They wished for him to be remembered for his infectious laughter and the joy he brought to others, emphasising his spirit of kindness.
The investigation into the incident continues, as law enforcement gathers more information surrounding the tragic events. The Albuquerque Police Department has yet to release further details regarding the case, as the community comes to terms with the loss and grapples with the implications of such a violent episode within the family unit.
As more people learn of Cavazos’s story, there is hope that his memory will inspire a message of compassion and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully, a lesson painfully underscored by the recent events.