The statue, located just north of Espanola, New Mexico, was removed in 2020 during nationwide anti-racism protests.
Prior to the shooting Martinez told a police officer and protesters to “fuck off” 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.
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 Mexico Editing by Donna Bryson and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Ryan Martinez, Jacob Johns, Martinez, Juan de Onate, Nicole Moss, Donald Trump, MAGA, Johns, Moss, Steve Dennis, Mateo Peixinho, Onate, Andrew Hay, Donna Bryson, Matthew Lewis
Organizations:
Sandia Park, Police, Mr, University of New, University of New Mexico Hospital, Thomson
Locations:
Spanish, Rio Arriba, Tierra Amarilla , New Mexico, U.S, , New Mexico, Mexico, Spokane , Washington, Espanola , New Mexico, Espanola, Rio Arriba County, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New