A 22-year-old New Mexico man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his cousin to death during a dispute over whose dinner was spicier, marking one of the most bizarre homicide cases Albuquerque police have investigated this year.

Fatal Confrontation Over Dinner

Ervin Joaquin Gutierrez was arrested following the August 27 killing of his cousin, 25-year-old Nathaniel Cavazos. Police responding to gunfire reports shortly before 11 p.m. discovered Cavazos unresponsive on a walkway outside an apartment complex, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to witness statements in the arrest affidavit, the cousins had spent the afternoon drinking alcohol and preparing green chile meals together. The deadly confrontation began at dinner when Gutierrez repeatedly insisted the chile on his plate was hotter than what Cavazos was eating, challenging him to taste it. Cavazos responded that all the food had been prepared together and carried equal heat.

Violence Escalates From Fistfight to Gunfire

The argument moved outside the apartment where it turned physical. Cavazos punched Gutierrez during the fistfight, leaving him bleeding. After the altercation ended and Cavazos began walking away, Gutierrez allegedly pulled out a handgun and confronted his cousin, shouting about family betrayal before opening fire.

Witnesses reported Cavazos was shot three to four times in the back from approximately 10 feet away while unarmed. Investigators later recovered a handgun belonging to Cavazos roughly 10 yards from his body, though witnesses confirmed he never drew the weapon during the shooting. Gutierrez fled immediately after the shooting.

Suspect’s Messages and Surrender

Following the killing, a witness who identified himself as cousin to both men received social media messages from Gutierrez asking if Cavazos was actually dead. The suspect claimed in the messages that Cavazos had previously threatened his life, writing he did not want to kill him but feared for his own safety. Gutierrez turned himself in to Albuquerque police the following day and was charged with an open count of murder.

Alcohol-Fueled Tragedy

The case highlights the deadly combination of alcohol consumption and armed confrontation. What began as a trivial disagreement over food spiciness escalated into violence after hours of drinking. The shooting occurred while Cavazos was retreating from the confrontation, raising questions about self-defense claims. Gutierrez remains in custody as the investigation continues and prosecutors prepare their case for trial.