Albuquerque investigators are investigating multiple incidents in which the homes or offices of local elected leaders were targeted by fire in the past month. All five politicians are Democrats.
in a Press Conference Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said Thursday that the department is “working with federal partners” in investigating the incidents, which he said is a “top priority.”
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keeler said, “We’re concerned and concerned that these are related and may be politically motivated or personal motivated, but we don’t really know that.”
Medina also stressed that it was not yet clear if there was a link between the shootings. “It is hoped that the investigation will determine what is relevant and what is not,” he said.
The first shooting occurred on the afternoon of Dec. 4, Medina said, when someone fired eight shots at Bernalillo County Commissioner Adrian Barbois’ home in southeast Albuquerque.
“It is heartbreaking that several shots were fired directly from my front door when my family and I were getting ready to celebrate Christmas,” Barbois said in an emailed statement. It was reviewed by CBS affiliate KRQE. “No one deserves such serious and threatening attacks; we ask that our New Mexican colleagues remain vigilant and vigilant while the investigation continues.”
On December 11, then-Bernalillo Commissioner Debbie O’Malley’s North Valley home was shot. Investigators found more than a dozen gunshot wounds at the scene, according to Medina. O’Malley left her commissioner position after serving the maximum term in the seat.
Police said the third shooting occurred at the home of Senator Linda Lopez on Tuesday when at least eight shots were fired into her home in southwest Albuquerque shortly after midnight. Lopez said in a statement that the bullets entered her daughter’s bedroom.
“Three bullets passed through my 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom,” Lopez said. “I ask the public to provide any information they may have that would assist the police in catching the perpetrators.”
The latest shooting apparently targeted the law office of Senator Mo Maestas on Thursday morning. Multiple gunshots were heard, but no damage was done to the building, according to a press release.
Later Thursday evening, APD said in a statement that it is looking into a fifth shooting incident in the campaign office of former New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez. Police stated that multiple shots were detected in the area early in the morning of December 10.
The department said, “Asp Police Officers collected evidence at the time of the shooting. Evaluation of evidence in connection with the shooting of four other local elected officials in Albuquerque is now underway.”
Medina said that despite close contact with Lopez’s daughter, no one was hurt in the shooting.
“Every time someone fires a gun into a home or a business, there is the potential for tragedy,” Medina said. “Our investigators work overtime to track down the perpetrator or perpetrators and hold them accountable.”
Keller said in a statement released Thursday afternoon that he has personally spoken with the four officials and that his administration is “working with them and other elected officials” to “help them feel safe and secure.”
“Our elected officials have chosen to serve, and they should never be made to feel endangered in the comfort of their own homes,” Keeler said.
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