EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A 26-year-old man is facing murder charges after police said he shot and killed another man in West El Paso after the two fought over a parking spot.
According to the El Paso Police Department, Nicholas Wells was arrested after police responded to a shooting at the Walgreens located at 2800 N. Mesa St. (near The University of Texas at El Paso) and found 32-year-old Christopher Brandon Steven with multiple gunshot wounds Thursday night.
Man hospitalized after late-night shooting at Mesa Street Walgreens near UTEP (Credit: KFOX)
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According to a complaint affidavit obtained by KFOX14/CBS4, officers responded to the store around 11:34 p.m. on Thursday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting. Investigators say Wells was one of the callers and told dispatchers he had been attacked inside the store and was forced to shoot someone.
When officers arrived, they found Wells in the parking lot near the front entrance and detained him. Police recovered a Glock .40-caliber handgun from the hood of his vehicle and a second revolver-style firearm from his person, according to the affidavit.
Inside the Walgreens, officers found Steven suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He was transported to University Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Two handguns marked as evidence after deadly West El Paso shooting at Walgreens. July 2, 2026. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
EPPD said that investigators believe everything happened because of a verbal argument over a handicap parking spot.
According to the affidavit, investigators say surveillance video and witness statements indicate the encounter began outside the store over the handicap parking space, when Steven arrived with his mother and sister. The family attempted to park next to Wells’ vehicle before moving to another parking spot after Wells allegedly questioned why they were parking beside him. Witnesses then told investigators Wells continued arguing with them as they walked toward the entrance.
Inside the Walgreens, surveillance footage allegedly shows Wells walking closely behind Steven while speaking aggressively. Investigators say the two then got into a physical fight, ending with Wells pulling out a gun and shooting Steven three times.
Mugshot of Nicholas Wells. Credit: EPPD
Jail records show that Wells was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Jail on Saturday and that a bond amount has not been set.
Police say Wells later waived his Miranda rights and told investigators he had been working as an Uber driver and stopped at Walgreens to buy water and deodorant.
According to the affidavit, Wells claimed Steven’s vehicle nearly struck his Jeep in the parking lot and that Steven later assaulted him inside the store by chest-bumping and striking him. Wells told investigators he retrieved and racked his firearm in an effort to de-escalate the situation before firing because Steven continued advancing toward him. He said he fired three rounds before leaving the store and calling 911.
However, detectives say surveillance footage does not fully support Wells’ account.
According to the affidavit, investigators concluded Steven’s vehicle was not traveling at a high rate of speed, and Wells did not appear to be in danger of being struck in the parking lot. Video also allegedly shows Wells following Steven through the store and approaching him aggressively before the confrontation.
Investigators further state that the video shows Steven collapsing after the first gunshot, with Wells then firing two additional rounds while Steven lay on the floor.
While detained in the back of a patrol vehicle, Wells allegedly made several cellphone calls. Police say recordings captured him stating Steven had assaulted him and that he had to “put three in him.”
According to EPPD statistics, this is the 8th murder of 2026, compared to 15 at the same time in 2025.
KFOX14/CBS4 reached out to Uber for a statement.
An Uber Spokesperson said Wells’ driver’s access to the app was removed after the company was made of aware of what has happened.
Furthermore, Uber provided a breakdown of its screening process for drivers, which you can read below:
Every US driver and courier must pass a rigorous, multi-layer background check before they can drive or deliver with Uber, and they are rescreened every year. In addition, we continuously monitor records to flag new offenses, and we share information with other rideshare platforms. The most serious types of convictions and pending charges—including murder and sexual assault—have always been indefinitely disqualifying.
Uber also said the company has a team of former law enforcement professionals around the world who are on call to work with police 24-7 to respond to urgent needs and walk them through how they can help with an investigation.
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