• Two O’Reilly employees were killed after an argument at a New Mexico store.
  • A man reportedly tried to exchange an oil filter and demanded free oil.
  • After being refused, he left the store with the oil, and opened fire outside.

If you haven’t given up faith in humanity, now might be a good time as two O’Reilly Auto Parts employees were reportedly killed over an oil filter dispute. The shocking incident occurred earlier this month in Albuquerque and resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Jesus Valdez and 47-year-old Richard Newman.

According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the store on September 14 at around 5:10 pm due to a reported shooting. When they arrived, one of the victims was already dead while the other was seriously wounded.

An Oil Change Turns Deadly

Deputies started looking for the shooter and eventually detained 27-year-old Ismael Rene Tena. He’s been charged with two counts of murder related to the incident.

The department didn’t say what sparked the shooting, but KOAT says it was over an oil filter. The suspect’s father reportedly told deputies they went to the store to exchange an oil filter and ask for two extra jugs of oil, because the originals were reportedly ‘wasted’ due to an incorrect filter. In effect, it sounds like an oil change gone wrong.

While mistakes happen, Tena was apparently infuriated and grabbed two containers of oil and walked out of the store. The victims then followed him outside, where they were shot.

More: $120 For An Oil Change? No Thanks, I’ll Do It Myself For $6,000

The senseless killing was shocking and Tena reportedly claimed he feared for his safety as “both employees were shoving and punching him.” However, deputies didn’t find any bruises to back that up.

Now, two people are dead over a couple containers of oil that likely cost well under $100.