He ran unsuccessfully for the New Mexico state congressional election in November.
MUGSHOT: Solomon Peña after he was arrested. Photo: Metropolitan Detention Center
Now Peña is accused by the police of conspiring to several shooting incidents, targeting the homes of four Democrats.
He himself is said to have fired shots at at least one home, according to the police.
He is also said to have paid at least four other men to take part in the shootings.
Thought the election was rigged
Police said Peña had approached state lawmakers after the loss, where he was reportedly furious.
– He claimed that the election had been rigged, Albuquerque police said at a press conference on Tuesday night.
There was no evidence of election fraud in New Mexico, either in 2020 or 2022.
The first shooting is said to have happened shortly after this conversation.
BULLET HOLE: Both houses and cars were hit in the shooting episodes. Photo: CBS News USA
Fragments ended up in the face of a 10-year-old
It started with eight shots at the home of politician Adriann Barboa, at the beginning of December.
Days later, the home of politician Debbie O’Malley was shelled.
GUN DAMAGE FOUND: This is what the wall of the house of politician Javier Martinez looked like when he examined his property. Photo: CBS News USA
Then local newspapers began writing about the shootings, politician Javier Martinez examined his property and discovered several gunshot wounds.
Police believe the shooting at Martinez happened at the beginning of December.
Then, during the first week of January, shots were fired at the home of state Senator Linda Lopez.
WALKING THROUGH THE BEDROOM: Senator Linda Lopez shows where the bullets hit. Photo: Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP
– Three of the bullets went through my 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom when she was sleeping, Lopez told the newspaper Albuquerque Journal.
The daughter was unharmed after the incident, apart from some dust and bullet fragments that ended up in her face.
Nor have other injuries been reported in any of the shooting incidents.
Pending more arrests
Albuquerque has for several years struggled with persistent gun violence.
– This type of radicalism is a threat to the United States, and unfortunately it has made its way to Albuquerque, here in New Mexico, said Mayor Tim Keller during a press conference on Tuesday night.
SHOCKED: The mayor of Albuquerque (tv), and the chief of police (th) held a press conference on Tuesday night. Photo: Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP
The police chief, Harold Medina, said during the same press conference that further arrests and charges are expected in the case, but refused to elaborate due to the fact that the case is under investigation.
– But several people, including Peña, are in custody now, he said in conclusion.
