On Friday, March 15th, 2024, Jaremy Alexander Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina, was driving a white BMW registered out of South Carolina. Smith then allegedly experienced at least one flat tire on I-40 west of Tucumcari. It was reported that during the early morning hours, in the darkness, he attempted to signal passing motorists for assistance.
After receiving a request for a welfare check on the BMW, Officer Justin Hare of the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), responded to the call for help. Officer Hare had been in service with the NMSP since 2018, and routinely responded to the scene.
Smith approached Officer’s patrol car on the passenger side. Officer Hare then allegedly extended an offer to provide Smith with a ride into town. According to NMSP Chief Troy Weisler that is when unexpectedly, Smith produced a firearm and shot Officer Hare. Afterward, Smith walked around to the driver’s side of the patrol care and shot Officer Hare again. Smith then shoved Officer Hare to the passenger seat of his own police SUV. Smith now fled the area in the NMSP patrol SUV down the road.
Smith crashed the patrol car less than 15 miles down the road. Smith subsequently abandoned it, and he was later found to have fled on foot.
Officer Hare’s body was discovered on a frontage road near milepost 312 and was rushed to Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, where he passed away at around 7:20 a.m.
Officer Hare is survived by his father, mother, girlfriend, and two young children. According to a GoFundMe account established for Officer Hare’s girlfriend and two young daughters, Officer Hare and his girlfriend were expecting their third child.
The white BMW found at the scene belongs to Phonesia Machado-Fore, aged 52. She was last seen on Tuesday but was reported missing on Thursday in Marion County, South Carolina, by her daughter. Machado-Fore’s body was discovered around 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Machado-Fore had been planning to move to Minnesota to be closer to her eldest daughter and grandchildren. Tributes online describe Machado-Fore as a loving and doting mother and grandmother, as well as a dedicated first responder who cherished her job and loved serving in her community.
On Friday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by NMSP. Officials from the NMSP relayed to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office that the stolen white BMW belonging to Machado-Fore was now associated with or connected to the murder of Officer Justin Hare.
Before the incident involving Officer Hare, Smith reportedly had no significant criminal record in New Mexico. However, it has been discovered that he did have a very lengthy record in South Carolina. We uncovered that in 2014, Smith escaped from jail and remained at large for nearly three hours before being apprehended. He was also allegedly charged in South Carolina for firing at or from a moving vehicle, resisting and evading arrest, rioting in jail, burglary, taking hostages, and breaking and entering.
At approximately 8:20 AM on Sunday, March 17, 2024, ABQ RAW was the first media outlet to break the news to you that Jaremy Smith was in custody. Smith, the suspect responsible for the killing of NMSP Officer Justin Hare and a ‘person of interest’ in the killing of South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore, was now in police custody.
According to unnamed sources, Smith had been shot by Bernalillo County deputies after a gas station attendant identified him and called the police. When BCSO deputies arrived, they located Smith walking on foot on Unser Blvd SW, a foot pursuit ensued, and Smith was purportedly shot at least twice.
We heard NMSP say they were following the ambulance to UNMH. When the suspect was at the hospital, we heard dispatch report back that at least 4-5 officers were watching and guarding the suspect closely.
There was a heavy police presence near Anderson Hill and Unser SW. As a result of the shooting and subsequent investigation a Multi-Agency Task Force has been initiated an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting. BCSO also stated that no deputies were hurt during the shooting.
At 9:30 AM, the New Mexico State Police confirmed our initial report. Police officials said that Jaremy Smith was taken into custody after a foot pursuit. Officials also said they were involved in a deputy-involved shooting with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
At around 11:30 AM, both BCSO and the NMSP held a joint press conference, which you can watch here:
During the press conference BCSO Sheriff John Allen said, “during this time, as they had an eye on Mr. Smith, a foot pursuit ensued.” Sheriff Allen went on to say, “Shots were fired. Some shots strike Smith. We don’t know the amount right now or how many, that’s still under investigation. But Smith was then taken into custody without further incident.”
NMSP Chief Troy Weisler said “we said we would bring Jaremy Smith to justice. There was nowhere he could run, there was nowhere he could hide.” Chief Weisler also conveyed appreciation to the community and fellow law enforcement partners for their dedication in locating and apprehending Smith.
If you would like to support the family of NMSP Officer Hare, you can make donations to the “Justin Hare Family Benefit,” Bank of Logan, P. O. Box 97, Logan, NM 88426 or the GoFundMe organized by Tiffany Martinez: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-the-family-of-officer-justin-hare
If you would like to make a donation to the family of Phonesia Machado-Fore, you can find the family’s GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/phonesia-machadofore-a-life-taken-too-soon
I am glad they caught this black piece of shit! If he lives, he needs to get the death penalty in South Carolina and put this animal ⚡☠️ down!
Won’t get the DP here. If the chipmunk had her way, he’d be given an award by her for being diverse and killing a white cop.
That is why I am hoping this feral black shitbag gets the needle in SC where he committed the first murder to get the car. They still put the baboons and wild gorillas to death for murder in South Carlina.
ay it’s no debate the guy is no good a bad person who likely guilty needs face consequences but Now how about they put you down? We live in violent times crimes and drugs are out o control. Not just in the states in the world. Race has Nada to do with it dumbass! So No wonder you are A fluffy Kitty Cat you like taking Big ol Dick don’t you? Got sum nerve try n talk trash w/a hilarious name like that your a joke shut up suck sum Dick gargle and then Swallow ok Biatch!
My, such eloquence and obvious intelligence. Clearly “racism” (realism) has no place in our modern society, as so expertly demonstrated by this fine and upstanding example of the species.
You’re no better than FluffyKittycat is GROW UP.
Quite interesting what types like you choose to be “disgusted” by, kiddo.
U must be black
You seem to like talking talking about dick so much, I figure you must have one in your mouth when typing your dog shit.
Truly sad we lost another peace officer to a POS that should have been in jail – seems he’s been in trouble over half of his life. Our judicial system is flawed given he was out in society. I am hopeful that he will succomb to his wounds and does not cost society anymore than he already has.
He should’ve been shot dead years ago. At some point, society needs to recognize those feral, wretched creatures that are beyond hope of any useful contribution to civilization, and then act accordingly. Our country would be Better and stronger for it.