New Mexico man accused of fatally shooting man in movie theater after fight over reserved seat

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (TCD) – Police have arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed another man in a movie theater because they got into a fight over reserved seats.

On Sunday, June 25, Albuquerque Police Department officers responded to a shots fired call at the Century Rio movie theater on Pan American Freeway and found one person suffering from a gunshot wound. KRQE-TV reports the victim, Michael Tenorio, died at the scene.

Police identified the suspect as Enrique Padilla, and court records show he is being charged with open murder, shooting at dwelling or occupied building, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence.

According to KRQE, Padilla and Tenorio were at the theater seeing "No Hard Feelings." Tenorio and his wife were reportedly sitting in the seats that Padilla and his girlfriend reserved. Padilla allegedly confronted Tenorio, and a theater employee tried to break it up. Padilla reportedly threw a bucket of popcorn at the couple, and then he and Tenorio started fighting.

Padilla allegedly fired several shots, struck Tenorio, and fled the scene. Police found Padilla hiding in a bush near the theater’s emergency exit and he was taken to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the stomach.

The Albuquerque Journal reports witnesses in the theater saw a green laser prior to the shooting, and police later discovered a gun with a laser in the bushes where Padilla had hidden.

MORE:

• Albuquerque Police Department Breaking News Twitter
• State of New Mexico vs. Enrique Jesse Isaiah Padilla
• Dispute over seat led to fatal shooting at Albuquerque movie theater, police say - KRQE
• A fight over a movie theater seat led to Sunday's fatal shooting in Albuquerque, police say - Albuquerque Journal