Police arrest man in shootings at homes, offices of New Mexico Democrats

Jan. 10 (UPI) — Authorities in New Mexico mentioned they’ve a suspect in custody associated to a sequence of latest shootings on the houses and workplaces of elected Albuquerque Democrats.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina recognized the suspect to reporters throughout a Monday press convention solely as a person beneath the age of fifty.

Medina mentioned the person was arrested on unrelated prices. A firearm linked to one of many shootings was additionally in police possession, he mentioned.

“We aren’t going to get into particulars as that is nonetheless an lively investigation and we’re attempting to nonetheless hyperlink and see which instances are associated and which instances usually are not associated,” he mentioned.

Medina wouldn’t say if the suspect was arrested on state or federal prices of if the person was in state of federal custody.

He added that they’ve some thought of a motive behind the half dozen shootings, however that it was nonetheless too early to make any announcement.

“We acquired to solidify some info and we do not wish to compromise any a part of the investigation,” he mentioned.

Since early final month, there have been not less than six shootings at 4 houses, a office and a marketing campaign workplace of elected officers.

On Monday, Medina confirmed to reporters that State Rep. Javier Martinez reported to police that there had been a taking pictures exterior his home in early December.

Martinez, who’s to develop into the speaker of the Home within the New Mexico Legislature later this month, had heard gunshots exterior his home in early December however inspected his house after listening to concerning the shootings final week and located harm brought on by an “act of gun violence,” Source NM reported.

There have been not less than 5 different shootings within the metropolis.

On Dec. 4, pictures had been fired on the house of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa.

On Dec. 10, a taking pictures occurred on the former marketing campaign workplace of newly elected Legal professional Normal Raul Torrez.

On Dec. 11, a dozen pictures had been fired on the house of former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley.

On Jan. 3, eight pictures had been fired on the house of State Sen. Linda Lopez.

On Thursday, pictures had been fired exterior the regulation workplace off newly appointed State Sen. Moe Maestas.

Nobody has been injured within the shootings.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller mentioned the announcement of the arrest was necessary to the town, its elected officers and its democracy.

“We by no means need this to occur to anybody, however there’s a distinction when it is elected officers,” he mentioned. “These elected officers need to find a way do their job as a part of American democracy with out worry, particularly with out worry of their houses.”