NEW MEXICO – The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has made an arrest in connection with a series of shootings targeting local Democratic politicians.
The police chief announced on Monday that Solomon Pena, a Republican candidate who had previously run for a House District 14 seat in the South Valley, had been taken into custody.
APD has arrested Solomon Peña for the recent shootings at local lawmakers’ homes. Peña, an unsuccessful legislative candidate in the 2022 election, is accused of conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of 2 county commissioners and 2 state legislators.
— APD Chief of Police (@ABQPoliceChief) January 16, 2023
The APD had been investigating a total of six shootings that occurred between December 4 and January 5.
These incidents involved bullets being fired into the homes of Democratic elected officials or near their offices.
Some of the notable instances include: 8 shots fired into County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s Southeast Albuquerque home on December 4, more than 12 bullets hit County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley’s North Valley home on December 11, and shots were fired at State Rep. Linda Lopez’s home on January 3, which went through her daughter’s bedroom as the 10-year-old slept.
The APD is also investigating whether shots fired near the campaign office for Raul Torrez as he ran for state Attorney General and near the office of State Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas were also connected to the string of shootings.
Trump just announced for 2024. I stand with him. I never conceded my HD 14 race. Now researching my options. pic.twitter.com/sKVHhxG9Vq
— Solomon Pena for NM (@SolomonPena2022) November 16, 2022
