Armed vigilantes under scrutiny after statue protester shot in New Mexico

Armed militia members were out in force at demonstration when a protester was shot as he tried to bring down conquistador statue

• Man shot as New Mexico protesters try to remove statue

Officials are scrutinizing armed vigilante groups in New Mexico following the shooting of a protester calling for the removal of a controversial colonial statue.

Police are examining whether the shooter belonged to New Mexico Civil Guard, whose members were out in force at the Monday demonstration in Albuquerque. The group has become a familiar and controversial presence at protests over racial injustice across the state. Protesters have accused it , and other militias, of intimidating and profiling people of color.