New Mexico Shootings: Republican Who Shot at Democrats a Danger to the Public, Say Prosecutors

Prosecutors in New Mexico are now trying to keep failed Republican House candidate Solomon Peña in jail as he awaits trial. This comes as investigations into his connection to the New Mexico shootings, which targeted several Democrats who won in the 2022 elections continue.

Prosecutors in Albuquerque filed a motion that Peña, who ran for the state House in 2022, be held without bond. Meanwhile, a judge ruled that he would be remaining in custody as he awaits a detention hearing that will happen in February.

The Associated Press has obtained a copy of the motion, which was filed on Wednesday. It stated that Solomon Peña's actions have shown he was willing to go to great lengths to show his dissatisfaction with reality by hiring multiple gunmen to shoot at the homes and offices of Democrats after believing he should have won the elections.

"There is no reason to believe that someone so unwilling to accept reality will give any credence to court-ordered conditions of release," the motion read.

Peña is facing multiple charges, including shooting at a home, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Democrats in Fear and Shock Because of Solomon Peña's Attacks

Peña, a vocal Trump supporter, has claimed the election was "rigged," echoing former President Donald Trump's debunked claims that the elections were stolen. Police believe this led him to hire gunmen and shoot at several properties, including homes and offices, belonging to elected Democrats.

The Republican candidate, who lost the election by almost 50 points, according to the BBC.

"Solomon Pena is an election denier. He weaponized those dangerous thoughts to threaten me and others, causing serious trauma," said County Commissioner Adriann Barboa on Tuesday.

Barboa was one of the four people whose home that the suspect paid people to shoot at, and he admitted he is still shocked at what transpired.

Following his arrest, there was a sense of relief from the Democrats, including State Senator Linda Lopez, whose home was the last to be attacked by Solomon Peña and his associates. One of the bullets hit the room of her young child.

Lopez stood defiant despite the attack on her home, stating, "The rhetoric that is ongoing, especially among election deniers needs to stop," and added, "We cannot continue to have a democracy with this level of fear hanging over our heads."

Attacks Targeting Democrats Increase

The New Mexico shootings are just the latest in a trend of actual assaults on officials belonging to the Democratic Party. The highest profile attack happened late last year when a Trump supporter broke into the home of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in an attempt to kidnap her. Instead, the attacker found she was not home so he attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi instead.

According to the Associated Press, these attacks have underscored the election denialism that has embedded itself across the United States. Among other notable incidents was the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer by a well-known far-right group.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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