The Albuquerque Police Department is looking in to five recent shootings at the homes of local elected leaders.
APD said in a release that no one was injured in the shootings but damage was done to each home. Detectives are working to determine whether the shootings are related at the homes of Bernalillo County Commissioners Adriann Barboa and Debbie O’Malley and of State Sen. Linda Lopez.
“Our detectives have collected evidence from all three homes and we are working as quickly as possible with federal partners to analyze the evidence,” APD Chief Harold Medina said. “I have spoken with Commissioners Barboa and O’Malley, and Senator Lopez to assure them this investigation is a top priority.”
The first shooting occurred at Barboa’s home in Southeast Albuquerque on Dec. 4. APD said eight rounds were fired at the home at 4:41 p.m.
Another shooting happened on Dec. 11 at the home of then-Bernalillo Commissioner O’Malley in the North Valley. More than a dozen gunshots hit walls and the house.
The third shooting was on Jan. 3, 2023, at Lopez’s home in Southwest Albuquerque. At least eight shots were fired at her home after Midnight.
Police were dispatched Thursday morning to a report of gun shots heard in the area of a downtown law office where state Sen. Moe Maestas works. APD’s ShotSpotter system registered three shots fired at the same location at 11:41 a.m. Officers did not find any damage to the building.
Thursday evening, APD released information about a fifth shooting that they are now investigating in connection with the others. In the early morning hours of Dec. 10, 2022, the ShotSpotter system detected multiple gunshots in the area of the former campaign office of Raul Torrez, who was elected as New Mexico attorney general in November. Torrez had already moved out of the Park Avenue SW location, the release said, and evidence was collected at the scene.
“Fortunately, nobody has been injured by these shootings,” Medina said. “But every time someone fires a gun into a home or business, there is a potential for tragedy. Our detectives are working overtime to track down the offender or offenders and hold them responsible.”
Mayor Tim Keller said the shootings are particularly disturbing and are a high priority for law enforcement.
“These shootings are serious crimes, regardless of whether anyone was injured,” Keller said. “I stand with these community leaders and encourage anyone who may have information to help by reporting details to APD immediately.
“Our elected officials have chosen to serve, they should never be made to feel in danger in the comfort of their own homes. I have personally spoken with each of the victims, and we are working with them and other elected officials help provide any information about these incidents and also help them feel safe and be safe.”
Anyone with information about any of the three shootings is asked to call police at 505-242-COPS or Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP.
Update
APD detectives have learned about a fifth shooting that may be tied to the string of shootings involving elected officials.
Multiple shots were reported in December at the former campaign office of Raul Torrez, who was elected as New Mexico Attorney General. Following the November election, Torrez had already moved out of the office on Park Ave. SW. On Dec. 10, APD’s ShotSpotter system detected multiple gunshots in the area of the building.
APD officers collected evidence at the time of the shooting. The evidence is now being evaluated in connection with the shootings related to four other local, elected officials in Albuquerque.
