In a dramatic turn of events, the man suspected of fatally shooting New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare has been apprehended following a foot pursuit that led to an exchange of gunfire with Bernalillo County deputies. The suspect, identified as Jaremy Smith, 33, was taken into custody on Sunday morning, two days after Officer Hare was tragically shot while stopping to assist a driver of a disabled vehicle on Interstate 40.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle involved in the shooting, a white BMW, belonged to Phonesia Machado-Fore, a South Carolina paramedic who was found dead on Friday evening. The Marion County Sheriff's Office has reported that they are currently investigating Machado-Fore's death.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office received a report from a gas station clerk in Albuquerque on Sunday morning, indicating an individual matching Smith's description. Deputies immediately responded and established a perimeter in a nearby neighborhood. A foot pursuit ensued, during which shots were fired. Smith sustained injuries from the gunfire and was transported to a local hospital for treatment under police guard.

State Police Chief Troy Weisler expressed gratitude that no deputies were harmed during the encounter with Smith. He also emphasized that the focus of their investigation in the coming days would be determining if anyone provided assistance to the suspect.

While the connection between Machado-Fore's death and Smith has not been officially established, New Mexico authorities are conducting further investigations to identify any potential links. Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace vowed to relentlessly pursue justice for Machado-Fore, expressing that his office would not rest until the person or persons responsible are held accountable.

Smith now faces multiple charges, including 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.

Officer Hare, a father of two and a recent graduate of the police recruit school in 2018, responded to a call for assistance early Friday morning. He approached Smith's vehicle, and after a brief conversation about fixing a flat tire, Hare offered to give Smith a ride to town. Unfortunately, Smith then pulled out a gun and shot Hare multiple times before fleeing the scene in the officer's patrol vehicle.

Following the incident, another state police officer encountered Hare's patrol car traveling at high speed, but it had crashed when they caught up with it. Authorities believe Smith fled on foot, while Hare was found nearby and pronounced dead at a hospital.

State Police Chief Weisler described Hare's actions as a selfless act of offering help to someone in need, which ultimately cost him his life. Hare's tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

As the investigation unfolds, both New Mexico State Police and South Carolina officials are collaborating to establish any possible connections between the two cases. The authorities in South Carolina had been searching for Machado-Fore after her family reported her missing on Thursday evening.

Sheriff Wallace deemed Machado-Fore's death as senseless and a tremendous loss for the community, emphasizing that the case is far from over. Updates on the investigation will be provided as new information becomes available.