Suspect in Fatal Shooting of New Mexico State Police Officer Captured

In a significant development, authorities have announced the capture of Jaremy Smith, the suspect involved in the fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare. The arrest followed a two-day manhunt that concluded with an officer-involved shooting in Albuquerque.

The Incident

Officer Justin Hare, 35, was shot and killed early Friday morning while responding to a call of a disabled motorist on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari, New Mexico. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. local time near milepost 318. According to New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler, Officer Hare was shot without warning after a brief conversation with the suspect, who had pulled over with a flat tire.

The Manhunt and Capture

Jaremy Smith, a 33-year-old man from South Carolina, was identified as the suspect. A massive manhunt ensued, with law enforcement agencies working together to locate Smith. The search came to a head on Sunday morning when a gas station clerk in Albuquerque reported a sighting of an individual matching Smith's description.

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen reported that deputies established a perimeter in a nearby neighborhood after spotting Smith. A foot pursuit followed, during which Smith was shot and wounded. He was then taken into custody and is currently being treated for his injuries under law enforcement guard at a local hospital.

Officer Hare's Service and Legacy

Officer Hare, a New Mexico native, joined the New Mexico State Police in December 2018 and was assigned to District 9 in Tucumcari. He is survived by his parents, brother, girlfriend, and two young children. His death marks the second NMSP officer killed in the line of duty within four years.

The Connection to South Carolina

The vehicle Smith was driving at the time of the encounter with Officer Hare was registered to Phonesia Machado-Fore, a paramedic from South Carolina, who was found dead on Friday after being reported missing. Smith is considered a person of interest in Machado-Fore's death, further complicating the case and extending the investigation across state lines.

Charges and Investigation

Smith faces a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, armed robbery, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and criminal damage to property. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into any possible assistance Smith may have received in his flight to Albuquerque.

Community and Official Response

The law enforcement community has expressed a unified front in response to the tragedy, with officials praising the collaborative efforts that led to Smith's capture. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the incident and offering condolences to Officer Hare's family, friends, and fellow officers.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Officer Hare, whose final act was an offer of assistance to the man who would take his life. The capture of Jaremy Smith brings a measure of closure to a tragic event that has deeply affected the state of New Mexico and the law enforcement community at large.