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Former Republican candidate arrested over shootings targeting Democratic homes

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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 targeting the homes of Democratic lawmakers in New 
Mexico’s largest city.

Albuquerque Police chief Harold Medina held a news conference on Monday 
evening hours after Swat officers arrested Solomon Pena 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. The 
shooting took place between December and early January.

Pena lost an election in November to incumbent state Representative, 
Miguel P. Garcia, the longtime Democrat representing House District 14 in 
New Mexico. Garcia won by 48 percentage points, or roughly 3,600 votes.

Police said Pena had approached county and state lawmakers after his loss, 
claiming the contest had been rigged against him despite no evidence of 
widespread voter fraud in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022. The shootings began 
shortly after those conversations.

New Mexico’s state Canvassing Board 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 are going to push back, and we will not allow this 
to cross the threshold.”

Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock said at least five people, including Pena, 
were involved in the shootings. Pena is accused of paying the others to 
carry out at least two of the shootings, according to Hartsock, before 
“Pena himself” allegedly “pulled the trigger” during one of crimes.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/17/former-republican-
candidate-arrested-over-shootings-targeting-democrat-homes

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Former Republican candidate arrested over shootings targeting Democratic homes Oscar <eli@usa.ve> - 2023-01-24 11:13 +0000

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