Authorities announced on Sunday the capture of a man linked to the fatal shooting of a New Mexico State Police officer. Jaremy Smith, a 32-year-old from Marion, South Carolina, was apprehended following a shootout with deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Smith faces accusations of murdering Officer Justin Hare, aged 35.
During the confrontation, Smith sustained injuries. The shootout occurred near Dennis Chavez Boulevard SW and Unser Boulevard SW in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly after 8 a.m. local time on Sunday. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen shared that a store clerk at a Murphy’s Express station spotted Smith around 7 a.m. on Sunday. The clerk’s description of Smith led deputies to locate him walking on Unser Boulevard, prompting them to set up a perimeter.
As deputies kept an eye on Smith, a foot chase ensued, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Although the exact number of shots fired at Smith is still under investigation, he was eventually taken into custody without further incidents. Following his capture, Smith was hospitalized for his injuries, though his condition remained undisclosed.
Officer Hare, who leaves behind two children, hailed from Logan in Quay County and grew up in Moriarty, east of Albuquerque. Smith is also a person of interest in the death of Phonesia Machado-Fore, a South Carolina paramedic. Machado-Fore was reported missing on Thursday, and her body was discovered on Friday night in Lake View, South Carolina.
New Mexico State Police revealed that Officer Hare was shot around 5 a.m. on Saturday on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari in Quay County. He was responding to assist a stranded motorist at the time. According to reports, Smith, who had a flat tire, attempted to flag down passing motorists on I-40. When Officer Hare arrived and parked behind his vehicle, Smith approached the officer’s passenger side window.
After a brief conversation, Smith reportedly drew a gun and shot Officer Hare. He then moved to the driver’s side, shot the officer again, pushed him into the passenger seat, and fled in the patrol vehicle. The vehicle was later found abandoned. Officer Hare was discovered on the frontage road of I-40 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital at 7:21 a.m. on Friday. He had graduated from the police recruit school in 2018.
Smith, who has an extensive criminal history in his home state and connections to the Albuquerque area, was the subject of a significant law enforcement effort. No deputies were injured in the Sunday incident involving Smith. New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler emphasized the commitment to bringing Smith to justice, highlighting the role of the community and law enforcement partners in his capture.