Former council candidate charged in protest shooting (ABQ NM statue removal protest)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | June 16, 2020 | Elise Kaplan

[CedarDave]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A former city council candidate has been arrested and charged after police say he shot and critically injured a protester during a demonstration calling for the removal of the “La Jornada” sculpture in front of the Albuquerque Museum Monday night.

Steven Ray Baca, 31, was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Tuesday morning. He is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with a firearm enhancement.

Police say Scott Williams was shot several times in the torso and is in critical but stable condition at University of New Mexico Hospital.

In 2019, Baca, the son of a former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputy, ran on a platform that was critical of the current city leadership and existing federal settlement agreements that impose restrictions on law enforcement. He lost in the six-way race to represent Downtown.

The shooting occurred when a peaceful protest escalated as demonstrators called for the removal of the controversial sculpture depicting conquistador Juan de Oñate in front of the museum on Mountain near Rio Grande.

An undercover police detective was stationed in the area and saw several protesters pursue Baca as he backed away from them, “utilizing pepper spray to douse the oncoming crowd.”

[...]

“A second male is observed holding the end of the longboard with two hands and swinging it toward the area of Steven’s head and upper body,” the detective wrote in the complaint. “At this time, a series of gunshots are heard, and the longboard is dropped to the ground. ...

Albuquerque Police Department tactical units arrived and took Baca and several men who appeared to be members of the civil guard into custody. It’s unclear what connection Baca has to the militia group. An APD spokesman said the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

[CedarDave]

The person that was shot was the one trying to strike Baca with the skateboard. The statue was removed from the park earlier today. Lots of photos at the ABQ Journal link above.

Go to the below link for other stories on the incident.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3855973/posts?page=44#44

[CedarDave]

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[BookmanTheJanitor]

“Protestor”

[Reno89519]

Sounds like self-defense. Plus, useless cop as monitor only.

[CedarDave]

Steven Ray Baca, 31, was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Tuesday morning. He is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with a firearm enhancement.

The videos at my other links show he shot to save his life. He used pepper spray first but the mob attacked him anyway. He needs a good lawyer to get him off.

[ArcadeQuarters]

He was attacked by at least 3 people and he’s the one who was arrested?

[IYAS9YAS]

Albuquerque Police Department tactical units arrived and took Baca and several men who appeared to be members of the civil guard into custody. It’s unclear what connection Baca has to the militia group.

I’m going to say none. But the narrative is out there that he was with them. They probably didn’t even raise their weapons.

[Fido969]

Even with the video - This guy is getting crucified by the Dems and the media.

[DiogenesLamp]

I think it is right and proper for people tearing down statues and attacking people with skateboards to be shot. The pity is that the attacker didn’t die, and that the “authorities” arrested someone who did the right thing.

[JohnnyP]

“I feared for my life.”

[lastchance]

I watched a video clip. In my unsolicited opinion it was clearly self defense.

[DarthVader]

From what I have seen he has a real good case of self-defense.

[AlaskaErik]

This is what happens when you live in a leftist shithole. The victim is the perp and the perp is treated like he’s the victim.

[JohnnyP]

That place is a shithole.

[SaxxonWoods]

He will be acquitted, or plea it down so far it will be a misdemeanor.

[Fido969]

Cops stood down while the statue was being vandalized, and the guy was being attacked. Only after s=he successfully defends himself do they step in and arrest him, and the milia guys who had nothing to do with it.

[Crim]

Correct...usual liberal pattern.... Liberal mob attacks...you defend yourself...you get made an example of by liberal authorities.

[Eagles6]

It's clear that many local and state governments have bended their knee to their new overlords.

Now, it appears, that in some locales you are not allowed to defend yourself from attack.

[DownInFlames]

All Dem run cities are sh#tholes.

[Fido969]

Lefties do NOT want you to be able to protect yourself.