Dispute over seat led to fatal shooting at Albuquerque movie theater, police say
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A man accused of shooting and killing another man inside a movie theater Sunday night now has been arrested. Police say a dispute over seats escalated to a shooting.
The shooting happened just after 9 p.m. at the Century Rio theater near I-25 and Jefferson. Officers responded to the theater where “No Hard Feelings” was playing, according to the arrest warrant.
Police say 19-year-old Enrique Padilla shot and killed 52-year-old Michael Tenorio inside the theater after an argument over reserved seats. Police say Padilla and his girlfriend confronted Tenorio and his wife who were sitting in seats that were reserved by Padilla.
Staff at the theater tried to help resolve the dispute but the two couples continued to argue. Padilla is then accused of throwing a popcorn bucket at the older couple.
Police say the two men stood up and Tenorio pushed Padilla back toward a wall. Several shots were fired, striking Tenorio. According to Tenorio’s wife, she said she saw a green laser coming from Padilla prior to the shots being fired. She also said she believed the laser came from a handgun.
Police say witnesses said Padilla fled the area on foot following the shooting. They also said his girlfriends got in a physical fight with Tenorio’s wife before she also ran from the scene.
An off-duty officer who was at the theater during the shooting performed CPR on Tenorio. However, the 52-year-old died on the scene.
Police say Padilla was found hiding behind a bush outside of an emergency exit at the theater. Police say he was wounded and asked a bystander to call 911 because he had been shot.
He was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital to be treated for the gunshot wound. Padilla is facing an open count of murder.
The company that owns the theater hasn’t responded to KRQE’s request for comment on the shooting. APD is asking anyone with information or video from Sunday night’s shooting to upload it on their evidence portal.
Source: KRQE News 13
