A settlement has been reached in a legal case involving a Native American activist who was shot during a protest in northern New Mexico over a statue of a Spanish conquistador. According to court papers released on Tuesday, the incident occurred in September 2023 amidst controversy surrounding plans to reinstall the statue in a public space.
Jacob Johns, from Spokane, Washington, and an advocate for environmental and Native American rights, was severely injured in the shooting. His lawyer, John Day, confirmed the settlement but did not disclose its details.
The shooting disrupted a gathering in Española where tensions were high due to the cancellation of plans to erect a bronze statue of Juan de Oñate, a figure known for both praise and criticism for his early settlements along the Upper Rio Grande from 1598 onwards.
Rio Arriba County workers remove the bronze statue (Via Emma Roberts/Getty Images)
In January, Johns filed a lawsuit seeking damages, targeting Ryan Martinez of Sandia Park, who faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly brandishing a gun at a woman during the protest.
The lawsuit also accused Martinez’s parents of negligence, claiming they ignored their son’s concerning behavior with firearms while he lived at home.
An attorney representing the Martinez family did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The family has denied responsibility, while Martinez has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in state court. Prosecutors are seeking to prove that bias against a specific social group motivated the shooting, which could lead to enhanced sentencing if proven.
