Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Selena's dad is in tiff with fan

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Friday, June 15, 2001
Selena's dad is in tiff with fan
Abraham Quintanilla says guide leads tours past his home
By J.R. Gonzales
Caller-Times

Quintanilla

   Mario Gomez is a Selena fan.
   But his means of honoring the late Tejano signer have drawn the ire of Selena's first fan - her father, Abraham Quintanilla.
   About four times a week, Gomez can be found at the Selena memorial and statue at the Bayfront, showing anyone who wants to see the more than 100 photos of her he carries in a small photo album he keeps in a pouch on his belt.
   He also hands out photocopied maps of the city that highlight where Selena is buried, her boutique and the museum dedicated to her at her father's studio, Q-Productions. Gomez also leaves maps on a bench at her gravesite.
   In addition to his tour-guide duties, Gomez holds an annual tribute to Selena, held this year at Molina Veterans Park. He even had a small part in the Selena film.
   Gomez, 35, said he just wants to share his love for Selena.
   But to Quintanilla, Gomez's affection - along with the endless procession of others like him - is a burden.
   "He has been completely obsessed with Selena," Quintanilla said. "To me, he is a nuisance."
   Though Quintanilla and Gomez once lived in the same neighborhood, Quintanilla said he never met Gomez before until Sunday, June 3.
   According to police reports, Gomez was at the Selena memorial and statue, handing out maps and talking to tourists about Selena as he has done for years when Quintanilla drove up, and waved him over to his car.
   Gomez told police that Quintanilla yelled and cursed at him.

Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times

Bill Wright (left) and Debra Ondar (center) of Nebraska look at through Mario Gomez's photos while visiting the Selena memorial on Shoreline Boulevard.

   "Who appointed you as a tour guide?" Gomez told police Quintanilla said. "Go home and take care of your family."
   Instead, Gomez, who is single, called police.
   When Quintanilla arrived again minutes later, a police officer was there too. Both told the responding officer about the altercation, and the officer left without taking a report.
   Two days after the Bayfront run-in, Gomez called police and insisted they document the incident. According to the report, Quintanilla told the responding officer that Gomez had been putting his home address on the maps he was handing out, and that curious fans were showing up at his home.
   Gomez said he never had Quintanilla's address on the maps. "I have never taken people in front of his house," said Gomez.
   But Quintanilla said he would sometimes look out his window and see Gomez guiding tours.
   Quintanilla said he never did use harsh language when talking to Gomez.
   "I didn't assault him or curse at him," he said.

Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times

Alex Leal (left) of Corpus Christi talks with Mario Gomez (right) as he looks through some of Gomez's photos of late Tejano star Selena. Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, says Gomez has been a nuisance.

   No criminal charges were filed as a result of the incident, and Gomez would like for the two to mend their fences.
   "I was so upset and hurt," said Gomez. "That was uncalled for."
   Gomez hoped he and Quintanilla could sit down and talk about the incident, but said that Quintanilla has declined.
   "I really wished he would have had the chance to sit down like a gentleman and clear this up," said Gomez. "I really don't understand this man."
   Quintanilla said the whole matter was a non-issue.
   Quintanilla said he didn't have a problem with Gomez handing out the maps, but he said Gomez shouldn't lead tours to his place of business and home.
   Since his daughter's death in 1995, Quintanilla said many people have approached him and his office staff claiming to be fans of the Tejano singer.
   He said the more bizarre encounters began after his daughter was killed on March 31, 1995.
   "We never had that problem before," said Quintanilla. "It's been a madhouse."
   Some come to his Q Productions office wanting to talk about others that may be involved in his daughter's death, or visions they had involving Selena, Quintanilla said. Others have approached his office asking for Quintanilla to pay their rent and electric bills.
   Gomez said he never gives his maps out to people who he thinks might be mentally disturbed.
   "Those are people you got to look out for," he said. "I don't even want to talk to them."
   Gomez said he wants a written and verbal apology for what happened, and a promise from Quintanilla that he would no longer bother him as he hands out maps.
   While Quintanilla encourages people to tour his daughter's museum, he said he wished some of the fanaticism would stop.
   "Six years after my daughter's death, I wish people would leave us alone," he said.


Contact J.R. Gonzales at 886-3779 or by e-mail at gonzalesj@caller.com

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