Enrique Padilla. Photo: Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney
A dispute over reserved seats in an Albuquerque movie theater ended in tragedy, leaving one man dead and another behind bars.
What started as a simple disagreement over seating at a movie theater quickly turned into a deadly confrontation. Now, more than a year later, 21-year-old Enrique Padilla has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 52-year-old Michael Tenorio.
From Argument to Tragedy
The incident happened in June 2023 at the Century Rio 24 theater in Albuquerque. Tenorio and his wife had purchased tickets that placed them in separate seats, so a theater employee suggested they ask Padilla and his date to slide over.
Padilla refused, leading to a heated argument. Eventually, both couples sat next to each other, but Padilla later decided to leave. As he walked out, he tossed popcorn toward Tenorio and his wife, which escalated tensions. Witnesses say Tenorio reacted by pushing Padilla against a wall—just before gunshots rang out.
Tenorio, an army veteran and father of four, was hit multiple times and died at the scene. Padilla was also injured in the gunfire and later hospitalized.
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Courtroom Drama and Emotional Testimonies
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Padilla pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He avoided a potential life sentence but was handed 20 years behind bars instead.
During his sentencing on Feb. 12, Padilla expressed remorse, but Tenorio’s grieving family urged the judge to impose the harshest possible punishment.
“I am angry and hurt that Enrique Padilla used a gun to kill my brother,” said Tenorio’s sister. His wife, Trina, added, “We need justice for him. My husband never carried a concealed weapon anywhere because he was truly a family man.”
Padilla’s defense attorney argued that he was still recovering from a prior gunshot injury and acted out of fear. However, the judge ultimately ruled that his actions had deadly consequences, sealing his fate with a 20-year sentence.
A Stark Reminder of How Quickly Violence Escalates
This tragic case highlights how minor disputes can spiral out of control, leading to devastating outcomes. A simple request to change seats turned into a senseless act of violence—one that took a life and destroyed another.
