Just hours before the world’s attention turned to an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, Albuquerque police were called to investigate an incident apparently targeting anti-Trump protesters in Nob Hill.
Social media posts spread quickly Saturday with reports that two men parked near Central Avenue and Wellesley Drive in Nob Hill had been assaulted by a man who confronted them over the anti-Trump signs they routinely display in the back of their pickup truck at that location.
APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told City Desk ABQ that the incident involved the same suspect who instigated two different confrontations. He said:
Officers were dispatched to the Nob Hill area along Central Ave., near Wellesley Drive SE, at 1:25 p.m. in response to a 911 call about the incident.
Two men said they were displaying an anti-Trump sign in bed of their pickup when a black vehicle stopped and two people engaged in an argument with the two men in the pickup. The men in the pickup said the driver of the black vehicle exited and threw a bottle, striking one of the men in the leg. The man in the pickup said he sprayed the driver of the black vehicle with Mace.
Witnesses said the driver of the black vehicle returned to the area and rammed the pickup from behind, nearly striking the second individual who was sitting on the tailgate. The pickup was pushed forward and struck another vehicle parked on Central.
The driver of the pickup told police he retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and pointed it at the driver of the black vehicle. No shots were fired and the driver of the black vehicle fled.
APD says witnesses provided photo and video evidence which is being reviewed. Gallegos did not say if police had identified any suspects.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call (505) 242-COPS.