CANJILON, N.M.—Juan Valdez, a land grant activist who fired the first shot during a 1967 New Mexico courthouse raid that grabbed international attention and helped spark the Chicano Movement, has died. His daughter Juanita Montoya says the 74-year-old died peacefully Saturday at his ranch in Canjilon, N.M.

The northern New Mexico activist was 29-year-old when he and a group of land grant advocates raided a Rio Arriba County courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, N.M. to attempt a citizen's arrest of then-District Attorney Alfonso Sanchez over Hispanic land rights issues.

It was Valdez who shot and wounded a state police officer. The raiders, led by Reies Lopez Tijerina, also beat a deputy and took a sheriff and reporter hostage.

Valdez was convicted of assault but was later pardoned by Gov. Bruce King.