CAPTURED: Updated: NM State Police issues arrest warrant for fellow Officer Justin Hare's murder

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 16 March 2024 16 March 2024

jaremy smithJaremy Smith has been captured after a pursuit and OIS involving the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. For information on the OIS please contact the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

More of the situation below this news release:

Updated SUSPECT Information: The suspect in Officer Justin Hare's Murder has been identified as Jaremy Smith, 32, of Marion, South Carolina. New Mexico State Police has issued an arrest warrant for Smith, charging him with 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.

Smith is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If seen, call the New Mexico State Police at (505) 425-6771 or dial 911.

At 11:00 a.m. on March 16, 2024, New Mexico State Police held a live press conference at the Albuquerque State Police Office conference room located at 2501 Carlisle BLVD NE.

News Release:

New Mexico State Police Officer Murdered on Interstate 40 Near Tucumcari


Quay County, NM - On Friday, March 15, 2024, at around 5:00 a.m., New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare was dispatched to Interstate 40, near milepost 318, to assist a motorist in a white BMW who had a flat tire and was attempting to wave down other motorists.

When Officer Hare arrived, he parked behind the disabled vehicle. The suspect, later identified as Jaremy Alexander Smith (DOB: 10/14/90) exited his vehicle and approached Officer Hare's passenger side window. A short conversation ensued about repairing his tire when, without warning, Smith pulled out a firearm and shot Officer Hare.

Smith then walked to the driver's side and shot Officer Hare again. Smith then pushed Officer Hare into the passenger seat and drove away in Officer Hare's patrol unit. After calls from dispatch to Officer Hare went unanswered, an additional NMSP officer was dispatched to assist.

While the assisting officer responded to the area, Officer Hare's duress signal began to go off. The duress signal is an emergency function of the officer's handheld radio that the officer can activate, and it sends an emergency signal to dispatch.

As the assisting officer continued to the scene, he saw Officer Hare's patrol unit driving westbound at a high rate of speed along the frontage road of Interstate 40 near milepost 312. The officer took the next exit to get on the frontage road and attempted to catch up to Officer Hare's unit. When the officer caught up with the patrol unit, it had been crashed on the frontage road near milepost 304 on Interstate 40.

The assisting officer approached Officer Hare's patrol unit to find it empty. Smith apparently fled on foot and is still at large. Officer Hare was later located on the frontage road to Interstate 40 around milepost 312. He was transported via ambulance to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced deceased at 7:21 a.m.

The New Mexico State Police is currently attempting to locate Jaremy Alexander Smith and bring him to justice for the murder of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare.

Smith has an extensive criminal history in South Carolina to include:

Taking Hostages and Rioting in Jail
Burglary
Breaking and Entering
Armed Robbery
Resisting Evading Police Officers
Auto Theft
Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle
Armed Robbery

Person of Interest in Murder of South Carolina Paramedic Phenesia Machado-Fore.
New Mexico State Police asks that anyone with information contact the New Mexico State Police at (505) 425-6771. Smith should not be approached and is considered armed and dangerous.

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