Albuquerque detectives are investigating a number of incidents the place the houses or workplaces of native elected leaders have been focused by gunfire up to now month. All 5 politicians are Democrats.
In a press convention Thursday, Albuquerque Police Department chief Harold Medina stated that the division is “working with federal partners” on an investigation into the incidents, which he stated is a “top priority.”
“We are worried and concerned that these are connected and possibly politically motivated or personally motivated, but we don’t know that for a fact,” stated Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.
Medina additionally careworn that it was not but clear if the shootings are associated. “The investigation will hopefully determine what’s related and what’s not,” he stated.
The first taking pictures occurred on the afternoon of Dec. 4, when somebody shot eight rounds on the residence of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa in Southeast Albuquerque, Medina stated.
“It is traumatizing to have several bullets shot directly through my front door when my family and I were getting ready to celebrate Christmas,” Barboa stated in an electronic mail launch that was reviewed by CBS affiliate KRQE. “No one deserves threatening and dangerous attacks like this; we ask our fellow New Mexicans to be alert and attentive while the investigation proceeds.”
On Dec. 11, the house of then-Bernalillo Commissioner Debbie O’Malley within the North Valley was shot at. Investigators discovered greater than a dozen gunshot impacts on the scene, in response to Medina. O’Malley left her place as commissioner after serving the utmost quantity of phrases within the seat.
The third taking pictures happened on the residence of state Senator Linda Lopez on Tuesday, when at the very least eight photographs have been fired at her Southwest Albuquerque residence simply after midnight, police stated. In an announcement, Lopez stated that bullets entered her daughter’s bed room.
“Three of the bullets passed through my 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom,” Lopez stated. “I am asking the public to provide any information they may have that will assist the police in bringing about the arrest of the perpetrators.”
The most up-to-date taking pictures appeared to focus on the regulation workplace of state Senator Moe Maestas on Thursday morning. Multiple photographs have been heard, however there was no injury to the constructing, in response to a press launch.
Later Thursday evening, APD stated in an announcement that it was trying right into a fifth taking pictures on the former marketing campaign workplace of New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. According to APD, a number of photographs have been detected within the space within the early morning of Dec. 10. Torrez was not occupying the workplace on the time, having moved out following the election in November, police stated.
“APD officers collected evidence at the time of the shooting. The evidence is now being evaluated in connection with the shootings related to four other local, elected officials in Albuquerque,” the division stated.
Despite the shut name with Lopez’s daughter, nobody has been injured within the shootings, Medina stated.
“Every time someone fires a gun into a home or business, there is a potential for tragedy,” Medina stated. “Our detectives are working overtime to track down the offender or offenders and hold them responsible.”
Keller stated in an announcement launched Thursday afternoon that he had personally spoken with all 4 officers and that his administration was “working with them and other elected officials” to “help them feel safe and be safe.”
“Our elected officials have chosen to serve, they should never be made to feel in danger in the comfort of their own homes,” Keller stated.