New Mexico State Police provide new details in highway shootout that killed Darian Jarrott
Police still investigating Feb. 4 killing of Officer Darian Jarrott and exchange of gunfire with suspect in Las Cruces
- On Feb. 4, New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott was killed in line of duty.
- Suspect Omar Felix Cueva exchanged gunfire with officers from several agencies on the interstate.
- Cueva was struck several times by gunfire from officers and pronounced dead on scene.
DEMING – New Mexico State Police on Friday evening released new information about its investigation into the Feb. 4 pursuit and killing by police of a suspect following the death of a state police officer in Luna County.
As previously reported, NMSP Officer Darian Jarrott of Lordsburg was shot after conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 10 around mile marker 102. The car had been described as a white Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Omar Felix Cueva, 39, of Deming.
On Friday, state police released its account of what happened next, alleging that after Jarrott asked Cueva to exit the vehicle, Cueva produced “an AR-15-style rifle and fired at least one shot” at the officer, after which Jarrott ducked and fell. Police said Cueva then approached Jarrott and fired “several more rounds,” striking and killing the officer.
‘The guy was always smiling:’ State Police officer Darian Jarrott remembered by chief
Police did not specify how many rounds struck Jarrott, but alleged that Cueva then shot Jarrott “point-blank in the back of the head.”
Previously, police had said Jarrott was assisting Homeland Security Investigations at the time, and that an HSI agent notified state police dispatch following the shooting.
On Friday, NMSP said its officers Lionel Palomares and Sonny Montes located Cueva approximately 14 miles east of the initial stop, where Cueva fired on those officers as well and fled east toward Las Cruces after the two officers returned fire.
As previously reported, multiple agencies reportedly participated in the pursuit, including the Las Cruces Police Department, Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Near mile marker 135 as the interstate passed through Las Cruces, NMSP said tire deflation devices hindered Cueva’s flight, with law enforcement officers from various agencies exchanging gunfire with the suspect.
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For the first time, NMSP identified DASO deputies Jerod Huston and John Signore as firing upon Cueva, who continue to flee east in the truck as USBP Agent Oscar Delgado fired a single round at the suspect.
NMSP then reported that the Pursuit Intervention Technique (aka PIT maneuver) used to stop Cueva’s vehicle was executed by Las Cruces police officer Adrian De La Garza near the Avenida de Mesilla exit.
That maneuver, and the gunfire that erupted afterward, were caught in a harrowing video captured by a bystander on a street adjacent to the interstate.
Investigators said that before the truck had even reached a stop, Cueva exited the vehicle and fired multiple rounds towards law enforcement officers. De La Garza and DASO deputies Diego Herrera and Obed Marte exchanged gunfire with the suspect, during which De La Garza was wounded by gunfire and subsequently airlifted to a Texas hospital where he was treated for injuries that were not life threatening.
Cueva was pronounced dead on scene after being struck several times by gunfire.
The state police officers involved in the pursuit have returned to duty after being placed on standard leave during the investigation, the agency said. The investigation was described as still being active and led by the NMSP Investigations Bureau.
Jarrott, 28, was from Lordsburg and had served with the state police since 2015, after being certified as a law enforcement officer the year before. He was stationed in Deming. He had three children and was expecting his fourth child by his girlfriend.
Witness encounters murder suspect during manhunt in New Mexico
“I heard gunshots. I grabbed my gun. I ran outside. The deputy had her gun. I had my gun drawn,” the witness told KOAT
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Updated: 10:19 AM MDT Mar 19, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Video above: A witness encounters 33-year-old suspect, Jaremy Smith, after a two-day manhunt in New Mexico following the fatal shooting of New Mexico State police officer Justin Hare on Friday, March 15.
MORE: BCSO deputies arrest man accused of killing NMSP officer
The witness told KOAT, Smith ran through his backyard and jumped on his trampoline, attempting to escape Bernalillo County Sheriff Deputies before he was shot and taken into custody on Sunday, March 17. As of Monday, March 18, investigators told KOAT, Smith is alive and currently in the hospital.
“I heard gunshots. I grabbed my gun, and I ran outside. The deputy had her gun. I had my gun drawn. She said there’s a violent offender out here. Can you guys get back inside?” the witness told KOAT.
“We got inside, and that’s when they shot him on the other side of the wall. That deputy right there is a good deputy because she didn’t shoot me,” the witness told KOAT. “I was scared, terrified. He [allegedly] killed a good guy and a good girl. People that are well respected in the community.”
“One of my kids could have been killed. We could have been killed. We don’t know what was going through his head,” the witness said. “We always leave our sliding back door unlocked. That night, for some reason, we locked it.”
Video below: Store clerk details encounter with suspect, Jaremy Smith, shortly before his capture on Sunday
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NMSP Officer Justin Hare
- Hare is a New Mexico native. He was raised in Logan and Moriarty
- He graduated from the 93rd State Police Recruit school in December 2018
- He was assigned to District 9 in Tucumcari, New Mexico
- He is survived by his parents, his brother, girlfriend and two children
New Mexico State PoliceNew Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare, 35
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement on Sunday after the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in Albuquerque apprehended Jaremy Smith, suspected of killing of State Police Officer Justin Hare on Friday:
“Today’s capture and arrest of a suspect in the cold-blooded murder of State Police Officer Justin Hare is a major step toward justice for Officer’s Hare’s family. While it doesn’t bring Officer Hare back, it allows all New Mexicans to breathe a sigh of relief that a dangerous fugitive is off our streets.
I again extend my deepest sympathies to Officer Hare’s family, friends and colleagues in law enforcement for their tragic loss. I hope the suspect’s capture brings some measure of comfort to them during this painful time.
I thank the citizen who spotted the suspect and reported him to the authorities. I offer my sincere appreciation to the New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, first responders, medical personnel and others who responded to this heinous act of unprovoked violence against Officer Hare.”
Suspect; Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina
New Mexico State PoliceSuspect: Jaremy Smith, 33
Charges
- 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
- Criminal Damage to Property
Smith is now considered a person of interest in the death of South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. Her body was discovered Friday night near the South Carolina – North Carolina border after family members reported her missing on Thursday.
Trevon Gay/KVIIWhite BMW with “flat tire” found at scene of Interstate 40, mile post 318 in New Mexico, driven by, suspect Jaremy Smith shortly before the fatal shooting of NMSP officer Justin Hare. The owner of the vehicle, Phonesia Machado-Fore, was found dead Friday night, March 15th, in South Carolina
Marion County SC Sheriff’s OfficePhonesia Machado-Fore’s body was discovered in Lake View, SC Friday night, March 15
“This case is far from over. Mrs. Fore was one of us, a fellow first responder. Her death is senseless. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss. My team and I will not stop until we bring the person or persons responsible for her death to justice,” Spokesperson for the Marion County, SC Sheriff’s officer, Tammy Erwin told KOAT.
NMSP: Smith has ‘extensive’ criminal history in South Carolina
- 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 Phonesia Machado-Fore
WPDEPhonesia Machado-Fore’s body was discovered in Lake View, SC Friday night, March 15
Officer Hare killed in line of duty, Friday, March 15
According to NMSP, officer Justin Hare was dispatched to assist a motorist on Interstate 40 near mile post 318 on Friday, March 15 at approximately 5 a.m.
The suspect, Jaremy Smith, had a flat tire and was attempting to wave down other motorists. Shortly after, officer Hare arrived and parked behind the suspect’s vehicle.
Smith exited his vehicle and approached the passenger side window of Hare’s vehicle. Hare and Smith had a discussion to repair his flat tire. Then, Hare offered to give Smith a ride into town.
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According to NMSP, Smith, without warning, pulled out a firearm and shot Hare. Smith walked over to the driver’s side of the vehicle and shot Hare, again. Smith then pushed Hare into the passenger’s seat and drove away in his patrol unit, before crashing the vehicle a short time later and fleeing on foot.
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.
What is a duress signal?
The duress signal is an emergency function of the officer’s handheld radio an officer can activate. It sends an emergency signal to dispatch.
“The last words that Officer Hare uttered on this earth was an offer to help the man who was about to kill him,” NMSP chief Troy Weisler said. “I’m disgusted and I am sickened by the actions of this cold-blooded murderer.”
Video below: Fallen New Mexico State Police officer identified; murder suspect search continues
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New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the shooting death of officer Hare:
“I’m heartbroken by the devastating news that State Police Officer Justin Hare was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call near Tucumcari this morning. It’s a tragic reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face each time they put on a uniform and report for duty.
“Officer Hare was doing his job protecting his community, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow officers at this most difficult time.”
Hare is the second NMSP officer to be killed in the line of duty within four years. NMSP officer Darian Jarrott was shot and killed during a traffic stop near Deming on Feb. 4, 2021.
