A shooting in New Mexico involving a man in a MAGA hat, a Spanish conquistador, and a group of protesters is sparking controversy online.
Ryan Martinez, 23, was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly shot a Hopi Native American man from Seattle, Washington, at a protest over the reinstallation of a statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate, “a historical figure revered by many Spanish-speaking New Mexicans and loathed by many Native Americans,” according to CBS Mornings.
The incident took place outside a civic building in Española and was caught on a cell phone video.
(Video: YouTube)
In a news briefing, Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield explained that the statue had been removed from a different location in 2020, according to CBS News. It was to be moved and rededicated at the county’s Española annex.
The night before the statue was to be reinstalled, the county decided to reverse course and cancel the rededication ceremony after the sheriff, citing safety concerns, penned a letter to the county commissioners.
“And obviously we have a situation as of today,” Merrifield said.
“I’m very grateful for that, and they made the decision to not do it, with all the safety concerns that have risen from this,” he added.
Christina Castro, an organizer at the rally, said the victim was airlifted to the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque where he underwent surgery to have a bullet removed from his chest, Reuters reports. He is in stable condition.
Another rally organizer, Mateo Peixinho, told Reuters that the victim was in New Mexico for a climate conference. Surprisingly, the outlet makes no mention of the fact that Martinez was seen on the video being attacked by those at the rally who were reportedly celebrating the fact that the Oñate statue would not be rededicated that day.
“Video of the incident showed a man pushing past protesters in front of the concrete pedestal where the statue was to be installed before brandishing a handgun, firing a single shot and running away,” according to Reuters.
CBS News reports, “The exact circumstances that precipitated the shooting were unclear.”
But online, the circumstances appeared to many to be a clear case of self-defense.
A counter-protestor wearing a MAGA hat who stood up against the removal of a Spanish conquistador statue in New Mexico shot a protestor in self-defense after the mob attacked him.
They’re also trying to put some heat on Elon Musk after the man reportedly drove off in his Tesla. pic.twitter.com/0FFuAr18Ys
— Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) September 28, 2023
“I’m sorry somebody got shot,” said one user on X. “If a group of people started attacking me, chances of shots being fired are good. Don’t assault somebody and your chances of getting shot significantly decrease.”
I’m sorry somebody got shot. If a group of people started attacking me, chances of shots being fired are good. Don’t assault somebody and your chances of getting shot significantly decrease.
— Mark Hunt (@MKHunt1066) September 29, 2023
He was attacked by a mob. An act of violence. He had every right to defend himself.
— horatiojr (@horatiojr) September 30, 2023
Justified
— Benjamin Hinson (@BenjaminHinson9) September 29, 2023
“Arrested for defending himself from an assault by multiple assailants?” asked one X user. “What the hell happened to our country?”
Arrested for defending himself from an assault by multiple assailants? What the hell happened to our country?
— Kevin Eisert (@Kevin_P_Eisert) September 29, 2023
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Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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