UPDATE (July 6, 2026) – Monday, the El Paso Police Department said it arrested and charged a 26-year-old man for allegedly murdering a man at a Walgreens in West El Paso.
Police said officers went to the shooting scene at 11:34 p.m. July 2 at a Walgreens on N. Mesa across from the Don Haskins Center. The suspect, Nicholas Wells, was one of the 911 callers reporting the shooting.
Officers arrested Wells after he reportedly admitted to the shooting, a news release said. He also allegedly had two firearms on the hood of his SUV – a Glock handgun and a revolver – police documents said.
Inside the store, officers found 31-year-old Christopher Brandon Steven with gunshot wounds. The news release said he later died in the hospital.
Investigators said the shooting happened after an argument over a handicap parking space, EPPD said.
Police documents said Wells parked his SUV at the Walgreens. Later, Steven, his mother and sister tried to park in a handicap spot next to Wells.
Steven’s family reportedly said Wells yelled and asked why they parked next to him, documents said. The family then reversed and parked in a different spot.
Wells allegedly followed Steven and his family inside, and the fight reportedly turned physical, documents said. Wells allegedly hit Steven’s face, and the two men reportedly grabbed at each other, documents said.
Documents said Wells allegedly pointed a handgun at Steven’s head. He reportedly shot his abdomen, documents said. Steven fell to the ground, and Wells allegedly fired two other times.
Documents said Wells called 911 to report himself after Steven fell to the ground. He allegedly told police he confronted the family in the parking lot because they “drove erratically” and nearly hit him.