Pearce defends GOP’s retraction of statement after protest shooting
State Democratic Party says the decision by its rival puts politics above lives
The Republican Party of New Mexico condemns acts of violence, such as those that took place at the protest in front of the Albuquerque Museum on Monday, but retracted its statement about the incident because video evidence showed the shooting may have been in self-defense, Party Chairman Steve Pearce said.
“It was not condoning the shooting,” Pearce said at a political rally Wednesday at Pajarito Mesa. “It was, wait, there was more here than we initially understood.”
Party Executive Director Anissa Tinnin released the initial statement following the shooting, which occurred as protesters attempted to remove the Juan de Oñate statue in front of the museum in Old Town.
“While the Republican Party supports peaceful protests and encourages people to exercise their freedoms, this kind of violence cannot be tolerated. This senseless shooting must be condemned, and we must adhere to law and order in our communities, Tinnin’s statement read.
But the statement was retracted shortly thereafter when the party received a video showing the shooting may have been in self-defense, Pearce said.
“We just wanted to say, OK, let’s not rush to judgment,” he said.
Pearce said the party’s decision to retract the statement was backed up by the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office’s decision to drop the shooting charge against the suspect, Steven Ray Baca, although other charges were added.
District Attorney Raúl Torrez said shooting charges could still be added depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The state Democratic Party criticized the Republican Party’s decision to retract its statement following the shooting. It accused its rival of putting politics above lives.
“The GOP made a clear choice to prioritize political considerations over the health and safety of our community, and they should be ashamed,” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Marg Elliston said in a statement.
“Chairman Pearce must immediately issue a statement condemning this shooting, and apologizing to the victim and his family.”