NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — A violent incident unfolded on Thursday in New Mexico at the site where authorities intended to reinstall a statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate, a controversial figure associated with brutal colonization. A witness and law enforcement confirmed that a man was shot during the altercation, and a suspect has been taken into custody.
Altercation at Statue Site
The shooting occurred around noon at the Rio Arriba County building in Espanola, where tensions had been escalating due to protests related to the reinstallation of the Onate statue. According to Mateo Peixinho, an organizer at the protest against the statue, the incident followed a confrontation between protesters and a counter-protestor.
Suspected Shooter in Custody
Law enforcement identified the suspected shooter as Ryan Martinez, and he was taken into custody, as reported by Rio Arriba County sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Gurule. Meanwhile, the victim, described as a Native American man from Seattle, Washington, was transported to the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque. The victim’s condition was reported as stable, and medical personnel were in the process of removing a bullet from his chest, according to Christina Castro, another organizer at the rally opposing the statue. New Mexico State Police also confirmed that the victim had been transported to a local hospital.
Controversial Statue Reinstallation Halted
The controversy surrounding the statue of Juan de Onate had reached a boiling point, leading to protests against its return. The statue, removed three years ago during nationwide anti-racism demonstrations, was slated for reinstallation on Thursday, but the county decided to halt the process due to mounting tensions.
Motivation of the Suspect
Peixinho disclosed that he had spoken to the alleged shooter, Martinez, before the incident occurred. Martinez reportedly expressed his displeasure with authorities’ delay in reinstalling the statue. Martinez was among several counter-protesters seen wearing “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hats, according to Peixinho. A photograph published by The Santa Fe New Mexican identified a man at the protest as Martinez, wearing a red MAGA hat.
Juan de Onate’s Controversial Legacy
Juan de Onate, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador, is a deeply controversial historical figure known for the 1599 massacre of a Pueblo tribe. He led a group of Spanish settlers into what is now New Mexico, and his legacy is marked by brutal colonization and violence against Indigenous peoples.
The shooting incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding historical monuments and statues that represent painful chapters in the history of the United States and the treatment of Indigenous communities.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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