A judge ordered authorities to hold Ervin Gutierrez in custody after police accused him of shooting and killing his cousin. Police said Gutierrez shot 25-year-old Nathaniel Cavazos when a fight over green chile enchiladas escalated.
The judge ruled Friday that Gutierrez will remain jailed as the case moves through court.
The 22-year-old faces an open murder charge in Cavazos’ killing.
Albuquerque Police Department (APD) said Gutierrez drove from Roswell to cook dinner with his cousins. Court documents say Gutierrez told Cavazos that the chile in his enchiladas was too hot, and the argument soon turned physical.
Police said Cavazos attempted to walk away from the fight. However, Gutierrez pulled out a gun and shot him several times, killing him.
Friends and Loved Ones Remember Cavazos After His Tragic Death
Cavazos worked at the Copper Hills Apartments in northeast Albuquerque for about a year. In that short time, neighbors said he made a lasting impression on the community.
“You needed help, he would help every single person around here from our other residents to our disabled residents to helping them walk downstairs,” one person who knew him said.
A certain Savannah said Cavazos was young, outgoing, and known for his positive attitude. She recalled how even a simple hello from him could brighten someone’s day. Now, neighbors at the complex are mourning his death.
“It’s sad. It’s very sad that such a kind person was taken due to violence, and just—it’s just something that you just don’t really think that could happen, and especially so close to home,” Savannah said via KOB 4.
At a recent vigil, Cavazos’ family members said they were not yet ready to speak on camera.
However, they said they want others to remember him as someone who laughed often and loved making people smile.
