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A New Mexico State Police trooper was shot and killed in “cold blood” early Friday after he offered to help the driver of a disabled vehicle, and the driver fired two shots at the trooper, New Mexico State Police said. He reportedly drove away in his patrol car, leaving the officer in the car.
The disabled vehicle was identified as a white BMW belonging to a South Carolina first responder who was found dead Friday night, authorities said.
New Mexico State Police say Jaremy, 32, of Marion, South Carolina, is an “armed and dangerous” man wanted in an apparent ambush on Interstate 40 that killed Officer Justin Hare. It was announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for Smith.
“Jeremy Smith, we're coming for you,” Chief Troy Weissler said. “I implore you to turn yourself in and surrender peacefully.”
Police officer shot dead on 'cold, dark, windy morning'
Weissler said in a video message Friday that he helped a driver who had a flat tire and tried to shake off another driver on the interstate near Tucumcari in eastern New Mexico around 5 a.m. local time. Mr. Hare said he was dispatched for this purpose.
When Mr. Hare arrived, he parked behind Mr. Smith's disabled vehicle. Weisler said Smith approached Hare's passenger side window.
“A short conversation ensued about fixing the tire, and Officer Hare offered to give the suspect a ride into town,” Weissler said.
Then, without warning, Smith pulled out a gun and shot Hare, walked to the driver's side and shot the officer again, then shoved Hare into the passenger seat and drove away in the patrol car, Weissler said. The car was quickly abandoned, Weissler said.
Weisler said another state trooper was dispatched to help Hare, and while he was responding to the scene, Hare's emergency beacon began going off.
As the aide was en route to the scene, he spotted Hare's patrol traveling at a high rate of speed. When officers caught up with the patrol, it had crashed onto the side of the road. The chief said when an aide approached him, he was empty.
Smith fled on foot, but there was no sign of Hare. The trooper was later found on a service road off Interstate 40 and taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he died, Weisler said.
A search for Smith began near where the police car was abandoned. Weisler said state police had been tracking Smith for a “quite a while” before he went missing.
new mexico state police
According to New Mexico State Police, Jaremy Smith is wanted for the murder of Officer Justin Hare.
Police said Smith was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, armed robbery, tampering with evidence, being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property. has been done.
Weissler said Hare graduated from the police recruit academy in 2018 and is survived by his parents, girlfriend and two young children.
“On a cold, dark, windy morning, he offered his help to anyone he thought was in trouble,” Weissler said at a news conference Saturday, his voice choked with emotion. “That man killed him in cold blood. Officer Hare's last words on earth were to ask for help from the man who was about to kill him.”
governor Michelle Lujan Grisham “My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and fellow police officers at this most difficult time.”
The body of a missing paramedic was found hundreds of miles away in South Carolina, and authorities said her car was linked to Smith.
The family of 52-year-old Foncia Machado-Fore reported her missing to the Marion County Sheriff's Office Thursday evening.
Federal, state and local authorities worked to find her, leading investigators to a property in Dillon County near the North Carolina border where they discovered her body. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
“Mrs. Fore was one of us, a fellow first responder. Her death is senseless. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss,” said Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace. My team and I will not stop until we bring those responsible for her death to justice,” he said, adding that the case “is far from over.”
Weisler said the department and South Carolina authorities are working together to investigate how the two cases are related.
“He has no place to run,” Weissler said of Smith. “There's no place for him to hide that we can't find him.”
Weisler asked anyone who may have come into contact with Smith to call police. “But from now on, if anyone knowingly assists him, they should expect to pay the price as well and be prosecuted on all possible charges,” he said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.