A family dinner in New Mexico turned deadly after an argument over whose green chilli was spicier allegedly escalated into a physical fight and fatal shooting.
Ervin Gutierrez, 22, had driven for more than three hours from his home in Roswell to Albuquerque on August 27 to meet his cousins for a family gathering. The group bought ingredients, drank alcohol and prepared chicken enchiladas with green chilli.
The evening was initially peaceful, but prosecutors allege that Gutierrez began arguing with his 25-year-old cousin, Nathaniel Cavazos, over the food. Gutierrez reportedly insisted that the green chilli in his portion was spicier than what Cavazos and another cousin had eaten.
Cavazos reportedly disagreed, arguing that the food had been prepared together and should not have had a significant difference in spiciness. The disagreement escalated, prompting another cousin to suggest taking the dog for a walk in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
The attempt failed, and Gutierrez and Cavazos eventually became involved in a physical altercation. A witness told police that Cavazos punched Gutierrez in the face, causing him to bleed.
The two men eventually stopped fighting, and Cavazos decided to leave the apartment. However, prosecutors allege that the confrontation turned deadly outside the property at around 11.30pm.
According to court documents, Gutierrez allegedly pulled out a handgun when Cavazos was preparing to leave. The two men were about 10 feet, or roughly three metres, apart when several shots were fired.
A witness reportedly told police that Gutierrez fired three or four times, with one of the bullets striking Cavazos in the back. Officers arrived after receiving reports of gunfire and found Cavazos dead at the scene.
Gutierrez initially left the area but later contacted family members through Snapchat, asking whether Cavazos had actually died. He allegedly told relatives that Cavazos had previously threatened him and claimed he feared being killed, while also saying he had not intended to take his cousin’s life.
Those claims have not been established as fact and remain part of Gutierrez’s account of the incident.
Gutierrez later surrendered to police and was taken into custody on August 29 at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. He is facing a murder charge, while the case remains subject to the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.
Cavazos’ death has left friends, family and neighbours struggling to understand how an ordinary family gathering could end in violence. He lived at the Copper Hills apartment complex and worked in the area.
Neighbours remembered Cavazos as someone who was willing to help others, including assisting residents with mobility difficulties. His family has urged people to remember him not only for the circumstances surrounding his death, but also as someone who loved to smile and bring joy to those around him.
