Although all the people involved are democrat politicians. KOAT legal expert John Day says this does not mean the person responsible committed a hate crime under New Mexico law.
“If it’s somebody who’s being targeted because of their political affiliation, that’s not necessarily a hate crime. Doesn’t mean it’s still not a serious situation because that person who is shooting could be facing multiple felonies ranging up to and including attempted murder,” Day said.
Day says charges for this incident can vary.
“If you shoot at an occupied building or a dwelling. In other words, if you fire into a house, fire into an occupied office building, those could be felony charges as well,” Day said.
