Failed city council candidate arrested in Albuquerque statue-protest shooting
06/16/2020 8:07 am PDT
via KRQE:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) -- Steven Ray Baca, 31, has been arrested in connection to a shooting of a protester near Old Town on Monday, June 15, according to Albuquerque Police.
Baca was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on a charge of aggravated battery. APD reports the shooting is an active investigation.
Albuquerque Police identified Baca in a video posted to Facebook that shows protesters trying to tear down the statue of conquistador Juan de Oñate on the corner of Mountain and 19th Street.
According to a criminal complaint, the alleged shooter was pursued by other protesters before the shooting. Police report the incident happened around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, June 15 when the demonstration started to escalate and protesters began to attempt to remove the statue.
The documents state that cellphone footage that was captured by a bystander showed a male individual in a blue shirt, later identified as Steven Baca, appearing to protect the statue.
A male reportedly grabbed a skateboard and swung it toward Baca's head. Then gunshots are heard. The complaint describes Baca as being recorded holding a black semi-automatic handgun and firing several shots. The male dressed in black allegedly struck Baca with the longboard, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his torso.
VIDEO: Former council candidate charged in protest shooting - Albuquerque Journal
Baca has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and firearm enhancement. Baca ran for city council on a small government platform last year in District 2, where he lost to Councilor Ike Benton.
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