AFR, feds investigate 'arson' after part of GOP NM headquarters set on fire

The Republican Party of New Mexico’s entryway was destroyed by what party chairwoman Amy Barela described as a “deliberate act of arson” in a news release Sunday morning.

It is unclear if there are any suspects.

“This horrific attack, fueled by hatred and intolerance, is a direct assault on our values, freedoms, and our right to political expression,” Barela said.

No injuries were reported.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue spokesperson Jason Fejer told the Journal that it is an “active arson investigation.” Barela said investigators told her that a Molotov cocktail was used to start the fire.

“We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack,” Barela said in the news release. “Those who resort to violence undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.”

The Democratic Party of New Mexico condemns “any vandalism at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters as strongly as possible,” spokesperson Daniel Garcia said in a statement.

“We firmly maintain that this sort of act has absolutely no place in our democracy, and that peaceful discourse and organization are the only ways to approach political differences in our country,” Garcia said. “We hope whoever is responsible is found and held accountable.”

Just before 6 a.m., Sunday, AFR and Bernalillo County Fire Rescue responded to a call of a structure fire in the 5100 block of San Francisco NE, near Jefferson.

The fire was brought under control within five minutes, but not before the entryway was destroyed and the building sustained smoke damage, according to AFR.

Along with fire and smoke damage, someone painted “ICE=KKK” on the side of the building.

Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, said when he saw the damage he immediately thought of “domestic terrorism.”

“We just saw it recently over at Tesla and now, we’re seeing it here,” he said. “And hopefully this is the last time we ever see it in our state.”

The investigation is being handled by the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Rebecca Atkins said.

The Journal reached out to the FBI for comment, but the bureau did not respond as of Sunday afternoon.

“We are committed to providing every piece of evidence necessary to bring those responsible to justice and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Barela said.

“We do not yet know the full details of the fire early this morning at the Republican Party’s headquarters,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement, “but let me be clear(:) arson is a violent and cowardly act that has no place in our city.”