US: New Mexico protest shooting prompts statue removal

A 31-year-old man has been arrested in a shooting that happened as protesters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, tried to tear down a bronze statue of a Spanish conquistador outside a museum, police said Tuesday.

Police said Stephen Ray Baca was arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Baca was once a candidate for the Albuquerque City Council and is the son of a former Bernalillo County sheriff.

Baca had been among those trying to protect the statue when protesters "appeared to maliciously pursue him," according to a criminal complaint. Video posted on social media showed protesters hitting Baca with a skateboard and punching him before he opened fire.

A city crew removed the statue Tuesday. "It became a matter of public safety," Mayor Tim Keller said.

(Image Credit Pixabay)