Pueblo artist not charged in connection with shooting incident

Wednesday, May 30, 2012  

A well-known Cochiti Pueblo artist was involved in a shooting incident in New Mexico last week but may not face charges.

Mateo Romero, 45, discharged a firearm at a gas station in Santa Fe last Friday. The bullet ricocheted off the ground and hit a bystander.

But police don't plan to arrest Romero, who said he was acting in self-defense. He fired the gun as a warning shot against a homeless man, who has refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Romero has been cooperating, authorities said. The person who was hit by the stray bullet was treated for non-life threatening injuries and also has cooperated.

"Without a true victim with proof of intent, it's really hard to charge," Sgt. Andrea Dobyns told The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Get the Story:
Allsup's shooting handed to DA; no charges yet against local artist (The Santa Fe New Mexican 5/30)
No Charges in Santa Fe Ricochet Shooting (The Albuquerque Journal 5/30)