US police say, Solomon Pena, 39, was the ‘mastermind’ of a politically motivated conspiracy that led to New Mexico shootings. A failed Republican candidate who US authorities say was angry over his defeat and made baseless claims the election in November was “rigged” against him has been arrested in connection with targeting the homes of Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina described Pena as the “mastermind” of what he said appears to be a politically motivated conspiracy leading to shootings at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators from early December to early January. After the election, police said, Pena showed up uninvited at the elected officials’ homes with what he claimed were documents proving he had won his race. There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022. “This type of radicalism is a threat to our nation and has made its way to our doorstep right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “But I know we are going to push back, and we will not allow this to cross the threshold.”