Artist from Cochiti Pueblo cites self-defense in shooting incident

Friday, June 1, 2012  

A well-known Cochiti Pueblo artist who was involved in a shooting incident in New Mexico was acting in self-defense, his attorney said.

Mateo Romero, 45, feared he was about to be robbed by a homeless man, the attorney said. Like many Indian artists, Romero was carrying around a large amount of cash and he fired his gun at the man as a a warning shot.

"At that point, Mateo decided to leave," attorney Dan Cron told The Santa Fe New Mexican. "He went home and, after he had some time to collect his thoughts, he called police."

The bullet from the gun ricocheted and hit a bystander, who was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Romeo was not arrested and likely will not face any charges for the incident.

Get the Story:
Attorney says shooter at Santa Fe Allsup's acted in self-defense (The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/1)

Pueblo artist not charged in connection with shooting incident (5/30)