By Andrew Hay
TIERRA AMARILLA, New Mexico (Reuters) -A New Mexico man on Friday claimed self-defense in the shooting of a Native American activist at a protest over plans to reinstall the statue of a 16th-century Spanish colonial ruler.
Ryan Martinez, 23, of Sandia Park was charged with attempted murder for the Sept. 28 shooting of Jacob Johns, 42, of Spokane, Washington.
Police say Martinez was trying to disrupt a peaceful event celebrating postponement by county commissioners of a ceremony to reinstate the statue of Juan de Onate over safety concerns following protests.
The statue, located just north of Espanola, New Mexico, was removed in 2020 during nationwide anti-racism protests. The shooting occurred in Espanola, where the statue was to be reinstalled.
Nicole Moss, Martinez’s lawyer, said during the hearing her client was peacefully taking photographs and video when he was pushed and then attacked by protesters.
She said protesters opposed to the statue did not like Martinez’s presence because of his red hat bearing the Donald Trump slogan "Make America Great Again."
Video played in court showed a protester grabbing Martinez around the neck and pushing him against a low wall before Martinez drew a handgun from the waistband of his pants.
“He fired one shot at Mr. Johns in self-defense," Moss said.
Prior to the shooting Martinez cursed at a police officer and protesters when they approached him, Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Dennis testified.
Protest organizer Mateo Peixinho said he asked Martinez prior to the shooting why he had come to the event.
"He said he was frustrated and angry at the county commissioners for allowing a few Indian protesters to stop them from doing what they needed to do," said Peixinho.
Johns' mother said her son was still in critical condition after being admitted to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.
"He's fighting for his life," said Laverne McGrath, as she attended the hearing.
The shooting marked the latest violence around statues to Onate erected in the 1990s to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Spaniards.
The monuments have long outraged Native Americans and others who decry Onate's brutal 1598 colonization.
Some descendants of Spanish colonial settlers, known as Hispanos, say Onate should be celebrated as part of New Mexico's Hispanic heritage.
(Reporting by Andrew Hay in Tierra Amarilla, New MexicoEditing by Donna Bryson, Matthew Lewis and Rod Nickel)
