New Mexico
Finally, New Development in Manhunt for Suspect in New Mexico Cop Shooting
The fatal shooting of an officer and sudden disappearance of a South Carolina paramedic led the police on a frantic manhunt to find the suspect connected to each incident. This weekend, the cops finally caught their guy.
Jaremy Smith, 33, is accused of fatally shooting New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare Friday morning who authorities say was responding to a request for help by a disabled motorist in Tucumcari.
Before the officer could get out of the car, Chief Troy Weisler claims Smith walked from the BMW he was driving to the passenger side of the patrol car.
The two discussed Smith possibly needing a new tire and arranged for him to get a ride back in town. However, Weisler said seemingly out of nowhere, Smith pulled out his gun and shot the officer. He then walked to the other side of the car, shot him again and pushed Hare’s body into the passenger seat so he could take off with the car.
The report says by the time the cops found the car it was crashed on the side of the road but Hare was still inside. Later, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police discovered during their investigation into Smith that the disabled BMW he drove was connected to yet another crime he allegedly committed.
Read more from ABC News:
During the investigation, police learned the car Smith was driving at the time of the encounter with Hare was registered to Machado-Fore, a paramedic for Florence County, South Carolina, Emergency Medical Services, authorities said.
Machado-Fore was found dead outside of Lake View in Dillon County, South Carolina, on Friday after she had been reported missing by her family, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was finally located after a gas station clerk in Albuquerque saw a man who matched his description Sunday morning, according to Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen. After calling the police, they arrived swiftly to the location and saw Smith walking down the street where they pursued him in a foot chase. Allen said shots were fired but it was unclear how many hit Smith.
Smith was taken to the hospital for treatment under police surveillance and promptly taken into custody. It’s unclear what charges he’s facing at this time.