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Suspect Jaremy Smith captured following fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police officer

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Suspect Jaremy Smith captured following fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police officer

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The suspect wanted for the killing of a New Mexico State Police officer has been captured following a “pursuit and officer-involved shooting,” authorities say.

Police say Jaremy Smith, 32, of South Carolina, shot Officer Justin Hare on Interstate 40 near mile marker 318 at around 5:30 a.m. Friday after Smith pulled over to the side of the road with a flat tire.

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“Yesterday we said that we would bring Jaremy Smith to justice. There was nowhere that he could run, that there is nowhere that he could hide. And today, thanks to our community, to our fellow law enforcement partners, we were able to do that,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said Sunday at a news briefing.

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said authorities managed to track down Smith earlier this morning following a tip from a gas station employee in Alburquerque. As police moved in, a foot pursuit ensued during which shots were fired, he added.

NEW MEXICO COP KILLER WAS DRIVING CAR BELONGING TO SOUTH CAROLINA PARAMEDIC FOUND DEAD, POLICE SAY

Phonesia Machado-Fore, left, Jaremy Smith, center, and Officer Justin Hare, right. Smith is accused of killing Hare and driving a BMW belonging to Machado-Fore, who was found dead in South Carolina on Friday. (Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, left and New Mexico Police)

Smith was struck by the gunfire and is now recovering at a local hospital, according to Allen, noting that no deputies were hurt. An investigation is ongoing.

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On Friday, Smith was trying to flag down passing motorists, and Hare arrived and parked behind the suspect, Weisler said.

Weisler said that Smith approached the police car at the passenger side door and, after a short conversation about fixing the tire, pulled out a gun and shot Hare.

The suspect then walked to the driver’s side door and shot Hare again before pushing him into the passenger seat, according to Weisler.

FLASHBACK: SUSPECT IN NEW MEXICO POLICE OFFICER SHOOTING CONSIDERED ‘ARMED AND DANGEROUS’

Police escort fallen Officer Justin Hare’s casket on Friday (New Mexico Police)

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Smith allegedly then drove away in the police vehicle, which was abandoned a short time later. 

“Officer Hare died serving his state and his community. On a cold, dark and windy morning, he offered help to a person he thought was in need,” Weisler said Saturday, fighting back tears.

“That person killed him in cold blood. The last words Officer Hare uttered on this earth was to offer help to a man who was about to kill him,” he added.

Hare is survived by his girlfriend and two young children, Weisler said. 

A police officer was fatally shot near the city of Tucumcari in New Mexico on Friday morning. Suspect Jaremy Smith was arrested on Sunday. (New Mexico State Police)

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Police say Smith was driving a BMW belonging to Phonesia Machado-Fore, a paramedic found dead in Dillon County, South Carolina, on Friday evening. An autopsy to determine her cause of death is scheduled for Monday.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

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'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]

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