Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Police officers in albuquerque, New Mexico, They are investigating a fifth shooting that may be related to a series of shootings that occurred at the homes and offices of local Democratic leaders as targets, according to CNN.
The New Mexico attorney general, two state senators, a current county commissioner, and a former county commissioner have all been affected by the five separate shootings.the Albuquerque Police Department said in a news release.
APD investigating fourth shooting involving local elected officials. Anyone with information about any of the shootings is asked to call police at 505-242-COPS or Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP. pic.twitter.com/4sBTH81a5X
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 6, 2023
No one was injured in the shootings and detectives are working to determine if they are related.
“Our elected officials have chosen to serve, they should never be made to feel unsafe in the comfort of their own homes,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “I have personally spoken to each of the victims, and we are working with them and other elected officials (to) help provide any information about these incidents and also help them feel safe and be safe.”
One of the shootings occurred in the early hours of December 10 at the former campaign office of Democrat Raúl Torrez.who was elected New Mexico Attorney General, APD said in a news release Thursday.
APD’s ShotSpotter system “detected multiple gunshots in the area of the building,” but Torrez had moved out of the office and was not injured in the shooting, police said.
Evidence was collected at the scene and “is now being evaluated in connection with the shootings involving four other local elected officials in Albuquerque,” police said.
The first shooting occurred on December 4 when eight rounds were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, in southeast Albuquerque, police said.
“In early December, I came home from Christmas shopping and was shot,” Barboa said in a statement posted on social media. “It was terrifying. My house had four shots through the front door and windows, where just hours before my grandson and I were playing in the living room.”
Days later, on December 11, they identified more than a dozen “shots hit the walls and house” of then-Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, in the North Valley, according to police.
On January 3, there were at least eight shots fired at the home of state senator Linda Lopez in southwest Albuquerquethe police said.
“My children and I were woken up by some loud noises. Initially I thought it was fireworks,” Lopez told KOAT. “It is very scary. You know, as a mother, it’s something you never want to experience.” Three of the shots went into her daughter’s bedroom and two were fired into Lopez’s bedroom, KOAT reported.
A fourth shooting took place on January 5. when police received reports “of gunshots heard in the area of a downtown law office” where state senator Antonio Moe Maestas works.
Police Chief Harold Medina said his department is working with state and federal agencies on this case.
“Fortunately, no one has been hurt by these shootings,” Medina said. “But any time someone fires a gun at a home or business, there is the potential for tragedy. Our detectives are working overtime to track down the offender(s) and hold them accountable.”
Although the authorities have not definitively linked the shootings to politics or ideologythe investigation reflects national concern about threats and intimidation against legislators, public officials and, in some cases, their families.
The attack on Paul Pelosihusband of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (California), the debate on violence against officials increased.
Members of Congress from both parties have experienced an increase in threats and harassment which, in some cases, has escalated to the level of in-person intimidation and physical altercation, particularly since the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.