Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia

City of Española News:

City of Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil ordered a lockdown earlier today,  Sept. 28, 2023, of all City of Española facilities following a shooting at the Rio Arriba County offices in Española.

Protestors and counter-protestors had gathered at the Rio Arriba offices in response to the county’s plans to install a statue of Juan de Oñate at the site, with an unveiling planned for this morning. The planned unveiling of the statue was canceled late Wednesday in response to reactions to the county’s plans, but protestors and counter-protestors gathered at the location.

“My first priority is the safety of our employees and members of the public,” Vigil said, “having everyone shelter in place also helps contain traffic while emergency vehicles are responding to rapidly changing conditions.” 

The lockdown lasted approximately one hour.

City of Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia arrested the suspect with the aid of Pojoaque police.

Rio Arriba County is a separate agency but has offices within the city limits. The Oñate statue had previously been located in the unincorporated county community of Alcalde, but was removed in 2020 following protests.