Authorities are currently on the lookout for a suspect following the tragic shooting of a state police officer last Friday, as reported by NBC News.
Officer Justin Hare, 35, of the New Mexico State Police, was fatally shot early Friday morning while responding to a service call. The incident occurred when the officer approached a stranded individual with a flat tire, offering assistance.
Chief Troy Weisler of the New Mexico State Police recounted the events, stating that after a brief discussion about the tire, Officer Hare proposed to transport the suspect to town. Unexpectedly, the suspect drew a firearm and shot Officer Hare.
The focus of the manhunt is a 32-year-old man from South Carolina, identified as Jaremy Smith. According to reports, Smith shot Officer Hare at close range, commandeered his patrol car, and later abandoned the vehicle. When Officer Hare did not answer dispatch calls, another officer discovered the scene, finding the stolen and crashed patrol car and learning that Smith had escaped. Officer Hare was found and urgently taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico expressed her deep sorrow over the incident on X (formerly Twitter), extending her heartfelt sympathies to Officer Hare’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly tough time.
An arrest warrant for Smith has been issued, charging him with first-degree murder among other crimes. Smith, who has an extensive criminal record primarily in South Carolina, was last seen on foot and is considered extremely dangerous. Additionally, he is a person of interest in the murder of Phenesia Machado-Fore, a South Carolina paramedic found deceased, whose car Smith is believed to have been driving.