.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A dead parrot was apparently the final straw in an ongoing dispute that led to the shooting and killing of a man in Tucumcari on Tuesday, New Mexico State Police says.

Christopher Shain Bamberg, 46, was arrested and charged with an open count of murder in the death of Justin Hoth.

State Police was called to assist Tucumcari police in the investigation of the incident that took place in the 400 block of College Street.

According to a State Police news release, Bamberg told investigators that a rear gate at his home was left open and a dog entered his property and killed his parrot.

“Mr. Bamberg explained Mr. Justin Hoth and a female lived in their recreational vehicle on his property for the last two months,” the news release reads. “There has been an ongoing issue with the gate.”

ADVERTISEMENTSkip

................................................................

Bamberg confronted Hoth about the dog killing the bird and, as he walked away, Hoth came out of the RV with a metal object in his hand, according to State Police. At that point, Bamberg went to his home, got a loaded shotgun, and returned to Hoth.

“According to Mr. Bamberg’s statement Mr. Hoth confronted him with the metal object and he fired the shotgun striking Mr. Hoth in the chest,” State Police said.

Bamberg was placed under arrest and booked into the Quay County Detention Center without incident.

This case remains under investigation, State Police said.