Ex-GOP candidate for New Mexico House arrested in shootings targeting Democrats

Albuquerque, New Mexico - Solomon Peña, a former Republican candidate for the New Mexico State House, was arrested on Monday after allegedly hiring four men to shoot at the homes of Democratic elected officials. Police believe the crime was politically motivated.

Solomon Peña (c.), Republican candidate for New Mexico House District 14, is taken into custody by Albuquerque Police Department officers on Monday afternoon.
Solomon Peña (c.), Republican candidate for New Mexico House District 14, is taken into custody by Albuquerque Police Department officers on Monday afternoon.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Albuquerque police announced on Twitter on Monday that they had taken Peña into custody on suspicion of conspiring with and paying others to shoot at the homes of two New Mexico county commissioners and two state legislators.

The shootings, which took place between December 4 and January 4, targeted the homes of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, State House Speaker Javier Martinez, then-Bernalillo Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, and State Sen. Linda Lopez. All four politicians are Democrats.

Peña, who failed in his bid to represent New Mexico's State House District 14, is accused of being the "mastermind" behind the shootings, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a press conference, according to CNN.

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There is even evidence "Peña himself went on this shooting [at the home of Debbie O'Malley] and actually pulled the trigger on at least one of the firearms that was used," police said.

Luckily, nobody was injured in the attacks.

Authorities suspect Solomon Peña's attacks were politically motivated

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has condemned the attack as an act of "political violence."
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has condemned the attack as an act of "political violence."  © SAM WASSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Local authorities suspect that Solomon Peña's alleged attacks were politically motivated.

After losing his bid for State House in November, Peña refused to concede the race and reportedly visited the homes of several county commissioners and legislators, claiming he had been the victim of election fraud.

"One [of the visits] actually led to quite an argument, I believe," a police spokesperson said at the news conference, according to The Hill. "So I think that plays into some of this, but it was shortly after when the shootings occurred, so that kind of suggests why they were targeted."

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"This radicalism is a threat to our city, our state, and our nation. We will continue to push back against hate in all forms and stop political violence," Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller tweeted after the arrest.

Police are still investigating whether the people allegedly hired to do the shootings were aware whom they were targeting.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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