A failed Republican state legislative candidate who authorities say was angry over losing an election last November and made baseless claims that the vote was “rigged” has been arrested in connection with a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of lawmakers in The Democratic Party in New Mexico’s Largest City.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina held a news conference Monday night, hours after SWAT officers arrested Solomon Peña at his home.
Medina described Pena as the “mastermind” of what appears to be a politically motivated criminal conspiracy behind four shootings at or near the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators. Filming takes place between December and early January.
Pena lost election in November to incumbent state Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, the longtime Democrat representing New Mexico’s House District 14. Garcia won by 48 percentage points, or roughly 3,600 votes.
Police said Pena reached out to county and state lawmakers after his loss, alleging the contest was rigged against him, even though there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022. The shooting is started shortly after these conversations.
The New Mexico State Board of Campaigns unanimously certified the results of the November election.
“This type of radicalism is a threat to our nation and has made its way to our doorstep right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “But I know we’re going to back down and not let this cross the threshold.”
Deputy Chief Kyle Hartsock said at least five people, including Pena, were involved in the shooting. Pena is accused of paying others to carry out at least two of the shootings, according to Hartsock, before “Pena himself” “pulled the trigger” during one of the crimes.
Police said at least five people, including Solomon Peña, were involved in the shooting. Photo: Liam Debonis/Albuquerque Journal/ZUMA/REX/Shutterstock
Police said they identified Pena as their “key” suspect using a combination of phone records, witness interviews and shell casings collected from Democrats’ homes.
An attorney for Pena who could comment on the charges was not listed Monday night in jail records.
No one was injured in the shootings, which came amid a surge in threats against members of Congress, school board members, elected officials and other public officials across the country. In Albuquerque, law enforcement is struggling to cope with back-to-back years of record homicides and persistent gun violence.
Hartsock said additional arrests and charges are expected in the case, but declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation. He said some individuals, including Pena, were detained Monday evening.
A criminal complaint detailing the exact charges against Pena is expected to be released in the coming days.
The shooting began in early December when eight rounds were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adrian Barboa, police said. Days later, the home of former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley was attacked.
As news reports of the shootings began to emerge, state Rep. Javier Martinez inspected his property and found gunshot damage. Police believe the shooting happened in early December.
Then, in the first week of January, shots were fired at the home of state Sen. Linda Lopez, a lead sponsor of a 2021 bill that would repeal New Mexico’s ban on most abortion procedures.
Lopez said in a statement that three of the bullets went through her 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom.
Police are investigating two additional shootings — one near the campaign office of New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and another at the office of state Sen. Antonio Maestas. But Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the police department, said Monday that the shootings do not appear to be related.
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