In connection with several shooting incidents at New Mexico Democratic homes, a Republican candidate who was unsuccessful was arrested.
After a SWAT standoff, Solomon Pena was taken into custody by Albuquerque police at Solomon Pena’s residence.
Four other men were hired by the 39-year-old to shoot at two county commissioners’ homes and two state legislators. All four of them are Democrats. These shootings took place between December 4 and January 5. Twelve bullets were fired on the North Valley home and office of Debbie O’Malley, County Commissioner.
In a press conference, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller (a Democrat) stated, “This type of radicalism poses a threat to the nation and has made its way right to our doorstep right here in Albuquerque.”
Pena ran for the New Mexico House of Representatives seat as a Republican, despite being convicted in 2008 of smash-and-grab robberies and having spent five years in prison. Although he lost by a wide margin in 2022, Pena claimed on Twitter that election fraud stole the contest from him.
Police say Pena visited several legislators’ houses uninvited, bringing evidence that he claimed was proof of voter fraud. Pena is accused of firing a gunshot at one of the homes and then hiring other people to do so. Police claimed that they had arrested one man who was contracted by him to shoot at Democratic homes.
He also supported the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol, and tweeted “MAGA”, several times in support of former President Donald Trump.
“Trump just announced for 2024. I stand with him. I never conceded my HD 14 race,” Peña tweeted with a photograph of himself in a “Make America Great Again” sweater.
More information about Pena’s arrest is available here:
