Police stated on Monday that a dispute over seating at an Albuquerque movie theater turned into a tragic shooting incident, resulting in the death of a man and causing panic among moviegoers as they scrambled to escape.

The Albuquerque Police Department’s detectives filed charges on Monday in Metropolitan Court against Enrique Padilla, a 19-year-old individual, in connection with the shooting that occurred on Sunday evening at a cinema complex located near an interstate highway.

Padilla, who sustained a gunshot wound, was being treated at a hospital under police guard on Monday evening, according to police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos, the Associated Press reported.

It remains unclear whether Padilla had legal representation available to speak on his behalf. Witnesses reported to the police that Padilla, accompanied by his girlfriend, arrived at the theater and found another couple occupying their reserved seats.

The theater staff intervened in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but matters escalated with an incident involving a thrown bucket of popcorn, physical altercations, and ultimately gunfire, as per the police’s account.

Michael Tenorio, aged 52, was shot during the incident and tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His wife, Trina Tenorio, stated that he was unarmed.

The shooter fled the scene, and Padilla, who was injured, was discovered hiding behind a bush near an emergency exit. The police recovered a firearm outside the theater that matched the spent casings from the shooting.

Emergency dispatchers received approximately 20 distress calls as terrified individuals fled the theater.

A criminal complaint and arrest warrant were issued against Padilla, charging him with multiple offenses, including homicide, shooting at an occupied building, and tampering with evidence.

Written by staff