New Mexico State Police officer fatally shot in apparent ambush attack by driver he tried to help, police say

A New Mexico State Police officer was fatally shot early Friday when he offered to help the driver of a disabled vehicle, who responded by shooting the officer twice and driving off with his patrol car, authorities said.

A New Mexico State Police officer was fatally shot early Friday when he offered to help the driver of a disabled vehicle, who responded by shooting the officer twice and driving off with his patrol car, authorities said. An arrest warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Jaremy Smith, of Marion, South Carolina, the “armed and dangerous” man wanted in the apparent ambush attack on Interstate 40 that killed Officer Justin Hare, New Mexico State Police said. “The last words that officer uttered on this earth was an offer to help the man who was about to kill him,” State Police Chief Troy Weisler said in a video message. “I am disgusted, and I am sickened by the actions of this cold-blooded murderer. We are bringing every resource to bear to bring Officer Hare’s killer to justice, and we will not rest until that is done.” Authorities in South Carolina on Saturday identified Smith as the driver of a BMW “involved” in Hare’s killing – and the car belonged to a first responder in that state who was found dead Friday evening, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday. Around 5 a.m. local time in New Mexico, Hare was dispatched to assist a motorist who had a flat tire and was attempting to wave down other motorists on the interstate near Tucumcari in eastern New Mexico, Weisler said. When Hare arrived, he parked behind Smith’s disabled vehicle. Smith approached Hare’s passenger side window, Weisler said.