Southwest
Suspect Jaremy Smith captured following fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police officer
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.
“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.
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)
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)
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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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
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The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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