New Mexico Man Accused of Shooting Native American Activist Faces Hate Crime Allegations

Ryan David Martinez allegedly shot Native American activist Jacob Johns during a rally against the installation of a Spanish conquistador statue in Española, New Mexico; trial set for May 2024.

• Ryan David Martinez, a New Mexico man, is facing hate crime allegations along with attempted murder charges after the shooting of a Native American activist during a rally in Española.
• The incident occurred amid protests against the planned reinstallation of a statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate. Martinez is accused of firing a single shot, severely wounding Jacob Johns, a tribal rights activist of Hopi and Akimel O’odham descent.
• Prosecutors aim to demonstrate that the shooting was motivated by bias against a particular social group, using this to enforce sentence enhancements as part of the hate crime allegation.
• Potential sentence enhancements could extend Martinez's prison time by up to a year for the hate crime and up to eight additional years for firearm-related enhancements. The initial felony charges against him carry potential sentences of up to 16 years and six months.
• A jury trial is scheduled for May 2024, and state District Court Judge Jason Lidyard has ordered that Martinez remain in jail pending the trial.

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