Albuquerque police arrest a former Republican state House candidate in connection with recent shootings at the home of Democratic lawmakers.
At a news conference Monday night, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina announced that Solomon Pena, 39, was in police custody following a SWAT standoff Monday afternoon in southwest Albuquerque.
“People think he’s the mastermind behind this and is organizing it,” Medina told reporters in front of a projected photo of Pena wearing a red hoodie that read “Make America Great Again” In front of two Trump flags.
“We are very grateful that we were able to take this individual into custody and hope to bring a little comfort to those affected and to all of our legislators, especially the state legislature starting tomorrow,” Medina said.
Pena is accused of conspiring with four other men and paying to shoot at the homes of two county executives and two state legislators, police said.
Investigators said five people were involved in the plot, with Pena directly involved in the final shooting. Evidence against Pena included firearms, cellphone and electronic records, surveillance video and multiple witnesses, investigators said.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.
Pena’s arrest follows the detention last week of an unidentified suspect believed to be involved in at least one of the shootings.
This shooting Police said the attack began in early December when eight bullets were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa. A few days later, the congressman said. The home of Javier Martinez was targeted and the home of former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley was opened a week after the initial shooting, police said. gun.
The home of the state senator was also hit with multiple gunshots. Linda Lopez is the lead sponsor of the 2021 bill that would overturn New Mexico’s ban on most abortion procedures. Moe Maestas’ office is located here. Maestas, a lawyer, co-sponsored a bill last year that would create new criminal penalties for threatening state and local judges. It didn’t pass.
Authorities said no one was injured in any of the shootings.