APD: Suspect in custody, tied to shooting at lawmaker’s home

By KOB

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The homes or offices of six local elected leaders were shot at over the last few weeks, according to Albuquerque police.

Mayor Keller and Chief Medina held a news conference Monday to announce they have a suspect in custody on unrelated charges, who they believe is linked to the recent shootings. APD says they also have a weapon connected to at least one of the shootings.

Police would not say whether the suspect is in local or federal custody. They only said the suspect was a man under 50.

APD is working with New Mexico State Police to make sure lawmakers feel safe while at the 60-day legislative session, that begins next week.

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Police had announced they learned about a sixth incident Monday morning. Rep. Javier Martinez told police he heard gunfire outside his Albuquerque home in early December.

Then, after hearing reports of gunshots fired at other lawmakers’ homes last week, the incoming New Mexico House speaker inspected his home and found damage, presumably from when he heard the shots fired.

Detectives also reportedly found evidence of a shooting.

TIMELINE:

  • Around 4:41 p.m. on Dec. 4, police say someone shot eight rounds at Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s home.
  • Multiple shots were reported in the early morning of Dec. 10 at the former campaign office of Raúl Torrez, who was elected as New Mexico attorney general. Following the November election, Torrez has already moved out of the office.
  • On Dec. 11, police say more than a dozen gunshots struck the home of former county commissioner Debbie O’Malley.
  • Just after midnight on Jan. 3, at least eight shots were fired at the home of New Mexico Sen. Linda Lopez.
  • Moe Maestas, newly-appointed state senator and former representative, had shots fired outside his office Jan. 5.

If you have any information, call APD at 505-242-COPS (2677) or Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP (7867).