Investigators Say New Mexico Man Opened Fire After Protesters Maliciously Pursued Him
Investigators have shed new light into the shooting that took place during a protest involving the removal of the statue of Spanish conqueror Juan de Oñate. Stephen Baca was charged with aggravated battery after shooting at protestors in a story that the mainstream media rushed to conclusions even before the dust had settled. Before the shooting, there was a tussle between demonstrators and the New Mexico Civil Guard, an armed group that was protecting the monument.
A bystander's smartphone recording showed Baca leaving the area and mingling with the crowds on the street. A group of protests started pursuing Baca, who tried to use pepper spray to keep the mobs away, according to an undercover detective.
"The group appeared to maliciously pursue Steven, with several of the crowd's individuals striking Steven's body with their hands and legs," the officer said.
One protester took a longboard and attacked Baca, who was trying to protect his head. Another protester took the same board and wanted to attack him again. Baca was wresting another protestor who was also trying to attack him before he pulled out a handgun and fired, striking Scott Williams. William's statement has not been taken because he was in a critical but stable condition.
Before the shooting incident took place, a crowd was seen shouting at Baca, who was trying to get away. Some of the protestors were yelling, "get him," and "get his license plates" after scuffles with the demonstrators.
While the investigation is still ongoing, the new report pokes holes into the story initially run by the mainstream media. Media houses claimed Baca had attacked the protesters because they were demolishing the statue in a racially inspired rage.
However, Baca had left the site before the shooting took place. Additionally, the separate group of protesters who were pulling the statue down was not involved in the shooting. The shooting also took place a distance away from the scene of the demolition.
However, Mayor Tim Keller decided to run with the racial narrative and described Baca as a racial agitator. He also took the opportunity to push the gun control agenda, saying the city could not regulate firearms because of the state's preemption laws. He added that New Mexico was going to amend the laws during the next session.
"Because of our state Constitution, the city is limited to what we can do for guns," Mayor Keller said. "I want to remind folks that New Mexico is one of many western states where cities are not allowed to regulate weapons, and that includes weapons at protests."
The racial narrative will not stand as more information starts to emerge. Baca was likely scared when the mob started roughing him up, which forced him to use his firearm in self-defense instead of running the gauntlet.
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