Man ‘shot by New Mexico militia member being attacked by protesters who wanted to topple a conquistador statue’ – The Sun

A man has been left in "critical condition" after someone shot him at a protest in New Mexico where demonstrators tried to tear down a statue of a conqueror.

The incident, which happened in Albuquerque on Monday, has left the man in a "critical but stable condition," police said.

On Monday night, the Albuquerque Police Department tweeted: "The FBI is currently assisting APD violent crime investigators as they interview individuals who were involved in the shooting.

"The investigation is in the preliminary stages. We do not expect additional statements tonight. The victim is reported to be in critical but stable condition."

APD Chief Michael Geier said: "We are receiving reports about vigilante groups possibly instigating this violence.

"If this is true will be holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, including federal hate group designation and prosecution."

The shooting took place amid a clash between the city's protesters and the New Mexico Civil Guard.

Protesters were attempting to topple a monument of Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The protesters reportedly wrapped a chain around the statue and began tugging on it, while one person swung a pickaxe at it's base.

Moments later, gunshots could be heard down the street.

The outlet reported that five shots were fired by a single gunman after protesters started advancing on him.

In a statement on Monday night, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said: "Although we are still learning more about the situation, I am horrified and disgusted beyond words by the reports of violence at a protest Monday night in Albuquerque.

"The heavily armed individuals who flaunted themselves at the protest, calling themselves a “civil guard,” were there for one reason: To menace protesters, to present an unsanctioned show of unregulated force.

"To menace the people of New Mexico with weaponry – with an implicit threat of violence – is on its face unacceptable; that violence did indeed occur is unspeakable."

She continued: "Let me clear: There is absolutely no space in New Mexico for any violent would-be 'militia' seeking to terrorize New Mexicans; and there is no space for violence of any kind on our streets and in our communities, or for any sort of escalation of reckless, violent rhetoric, no matter who strikes first."

Mayor Tim Keller also said in a statement: "The shooting tonight was a tragic, outrageous and unacceptable act of violence and it has no place in our city."

The Mayor went on to confirm that the statue will be removed "until the appropriate civic institutions can determine next steps."

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