An unsuccessful candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives was arrested Monday in connection with a series of shootings at the homes of Democratic politicians, Albuquerque police said.
Solomon Pena, 39, is charged with “conspiring and paying four other men to shoot up the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Media said during a news conference. Monday.
Albuquerque police hold a press conference, announcing the arrest of Solomon Pena.
(Albuquerque PD)
Peña lost the November elections by more than 3,600 votes to incumbent Democratic representative Miguel P. García, who obtained almost 5,700 votes.
It was not immediately clear if Pena had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The shootings began in early December when eight rounds were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, police said. Days later, someone shot at the home of former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley.
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Technology that can detect the sound of gunshots also indicated gunshots in the vicinity of the former campaign office of New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. Police found no damage.
Multiple shots were also 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, and in a downtown area where is the office of State Senator Moe Maestas. Maestas, an attorney, cosponsored a bill last year to establish new criminal penalties for threatening state and local judges. I do not pass.
Pena was arrested Monday afternoon following a SWAT standoff at an address that matched the one he provided to the New Mexico Secretary of State when he ran for office, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
FILE: Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Daniel A. Leifheit/Getty Images)
Albuquerque police told Fox News Digital Monday night that their SWAT Unit was executing a second search warrant at a second location, but did not provide further details.
Authorities said last week that a suspect believed to be connected to at least one of the shootings was in custody, but declined to release his name. Chief Medina said the man was being held on unrelated charges and detectives were still awaiting the results of several outstanding search warrants filed in the investigation.
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“We’re just waiting to get a feedback on some of the information to make sure that everything we have, that the case that we’re building is as strong as possible and to see what other aspects are involved,” Medina said.
Authorities declined to say what charges the man was being charged with.
However, they did confirm that officers seized a firearm linked to the suspect that was used in the shooting at a home, but have yet to determine if it was connected to any of the others.
No one was injured in the shootings, which come amid increased threats against members of Congress, school board members, election officials and other government workers across the country.
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In Albuquerque, law enforcement has been struggling to address consecutive years of record homicides and persistent gun violence.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
