Learn more ‘New Mexico Shooting: Why Was GOP Candidate Solomon Pena Detained?’ A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico House was apprehended on Monday, according to Albuquerque Police, for allegedly planning a string of shootings this winter that were intended to target the homes and offices of Democratic state officials.
According to Albuquerque Police, Republican Solomon Pena is suspected of coordinating with and paying four people to fire four rounds at the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two state senators in the area.
New Mexico Shooting: Why Was GOP Candidate Solomon Pena Detained?
Solomon Pena was apprehended by SWAT personnel at his home on Monday night, according to Harold Medina, chief of the Albuquerque Police Department.
According to Medina, Pena is the “mastermind” of what appears to be a criminal conspiracy with political overtones that culminated in four shootings between early December and early January at or close to the homes of two county commissioners and two state politicians.
House District 14 in the South Valley is currently represented by longtime Democrat Miguel P. Garcia, who defeated Pena in the November election.
He might have been driven by resentment for his setback in November, according to the officials. At a press conference early Monday evening, Police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos stated Pena claimed his defeat was the consequence of electoral fraud.
Despite the fact that there was no proof of widespread voting fraud in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022, police said that election skeptic Pena sought out county and state officials after losing, claiming the election was fixed against him. Shortly after those conversations, the gunfire began.
Mayor Tim Keller stated that “this kind of radicalism is a threat to our country and it has arrived here in Albuquerque, New Mexico.” But I’m confident that we’ll fight back and prevent this from happening.
The incident shocked the neighborhood, which led to calls for Pena to withdraw from the Campaign. The incident causes serious worries about the security of political gatherings and the potential for political violence.
Arrest And Charges In Detail
In the state House, incumbent Democrat Miguel P. Garcia defeated Pena by a count of 5,679 to 2,033, or 74% to 26%.
Hartsock predicted additional detentions and accusations in the case but refrained from commenting further because the investigation is ongoing. He said that on Monday night, some persons were arrested, among them Pena.
Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock reported that Pena was one of at least five people involved in the shooting.
Hartsock claims that Pena is accused of paying off at least two assailants before “Pena himself” allegedly “fired the gun” in one of the crimes.
Pena was named as their “main” suspect by police after using telephone records, witness statements, and gunfire from the politicians’ homes.
One week after the MedinaPolicepolice chief announced that a suspect in the shootings had been identified, his arrest has occurred.
No one was wounded in the shootings, which took place as threats against elected officials, school board members, election officials, and other government workers increased across the nation.
Law enforcement in Albuquerque had to deal with consecutive years of record homicides and ongoing gun violence.
In the coming days, Pena’s exact charges would probably be included in a criminal complaint.
