Albuquerque Democratic Official’s Home, Office Targeted in Series of Shootings : NPR

Local and state police are working with the FBI in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to investigate five shootings targeting Democratic politicians’ homes and offices since last month.

Bernalillo County Commissioner Adrian Balboa, whose home was the first to catch fire, told NPR on Friday that the attack was difficult to handle.

In the attack, multiple bullets were fired into the building’s doors and walls. In some cases, elected officials were inside with their families, but no one was hurt.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said at a news conference: “We are grateful that no one was injured, but we also recognize that we must act quickly.

His claims were underscored by recent events. Officials had planned to highlight a shooting on Thursday after a state senator’s home was set on fire Tuesday, but a second state senator’s office was hit by a bullet, making it a political target. We received word that more gunfights had occurred targeting thursday morning.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said, “There are some clues. He acknowledged the obvious connection that all the victims belonged to the same party, but while the evidence was still being collected. warned people not to speculate about violence.

“We are concerned that these are related and possibly politically or personally motivated,” Keller said. “But we don’t know that for fact.” .”

shooting timeline

December 4th (Sun) — At 4:41 p.m., someone fired eight shots into the home of Bernallio County Commissioner Adrian Balboa in southeastern Albuquerque. “In early December, I was coming home from Christmas shopping and I was being shot at. It was terrifying,” Balboa told NPR on Friday. Only a few hours ago, I received four shots through the front door and window.”

Saturday, December 10th — The state’s new Attorney General Raul Torres’ campaign office in downtown Albuquerque was shot early in the morning “after we had already moved,” a campaign representative told NPR, citing the election. He added that the movement is cooperating with law enforcement.

Sunday, December 11th — Shooting focused on the home of then-Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley in the North Valley area. Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told NPR that “more than 10 bullets were found to have impacted walls and homes.”

Tuesday, January 3 — The home of State Senator Linda Lopez was targeted in southwestern Albuquerque. “At least eight shots were fired at her home after midnight,” Gallegos said.Show reporters from albuquerque journal There were multiple bullet holes in her garage, and Lopez said it was the first time she had experienced a “very personal attack on me and my family.”

Thursday, January 5th — Police gunshot detection sensors recorded three shots fired at 11:41 a.m. near the downtown law office where State Senator Antonio “Mo” Maestas works.Maesta thanked the police Via Twittersaid his family was safe and sound.

Detectives are sifting through videos and other evidence

Attacks on elected officials are a top priority for investigators, Medina said at a news conference on Thursday, adding that police had evidence such as video captured by cameras at intersections and reports from ShotSpotter equipment that detected the shootings. He added that he was checking the

“Hopefully they will continue to work non-stop until this case is resolved,” Medina said.

Authorities are asking citizens for help, hoping that residents will send in information about people or vehicles near the attack, or threats to politicians on social media.

Medina said his department will contact elected officials throughout Bernalillo County to understand potential safety concerns and whether law enforcement should provide additional security to politicians. He said he was considering

When discussing the series of attacks, police and politicians spoke of the ravages of gun violence in both New Mexico and the United States.

“Many of my loved ones, my neighbors and my community have been affected by this kind of violence,” Balboa said. “We must do more to end gun violence in and against our communities.”