In a development that brought relief to the community and law enforcement officials, the suspect involved in the fatal shooting of a New Mexico State Police officer has been apprehended following a two-day manhunt. Identified as Jaremy Smith, a 32-year-old man from South Carolina, the suspect was captured during an officer-involved shooting with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office on Sunday.

The tragic incident occurred early Friday morning when Officer Justin Hare, 35, responded to a call about a driver with a flat tire on Interstate 40 near milepost 318. Without warning, Smith approached the passenger side of Hare's patrol vehicle and opened fire. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Officer Hare succumbed to his injuries.

New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler revealed that after shooting Officer Hare, Smith proceeded to the driver's side and fired at the officer once again. He then forced Hare onto the passenger side, entered the patrol vehicle, and fled the scene. Hare was unable to respond to radio traffic, but managed to activate a panic button on his police radio, alerting his colleagues to the dire situation.

An officer in pursuit spotted Hare's patrol vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, but by the time they caught up, the vehicle had crashed on an interstate frontage road and was abandoned. Hare's lifeless body was discovered along the same road. Despite a widespread search, the suspect had initially managed to evade capture.

As authorities investigated the incident further, it was revealed that Jaremy Smith had a criminal history in South Carolina, including allegations of hostage-taking, burglary, and armed robbery. It was also discovered that the vehicle with the flat tire belonged to Phenesia Machado-Fore, a 52-year-old paramedic from Marion County, South Carolina, who had been reported missing. Tragically, Machado-Fore was found murdered on the same day Hare was shot.

Chief Weisler confirmed that Smith is considered a person of interest in the South Carolina case. The details surrounding the motive for these crimes remain under investigation.

The news of Jaremy Smith's capture brings a measure of relief to the law enforcement community and the local residents affected by this senseless act of violence. The New Mexico State Police and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office have worked diligently to bring the suspect to justice, and their efforts have paid off with his arrest. The community mourns the loss of Officer Justin Hare and continues to stand in support of his grieving family.