A federal grand jury indicted a South Carolina man last week for the murder of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare.
Jaremy Smith, 33, of South Carolina, is slated to be arraigned on April 18, 2024.
According to court filings, on March 15, 2024, Smith attempted to wave down passing motorists on Interstate 40 in Quay County, New Mexico, seeking help with a flat tire. Smith had stolen the white BMW from South Carolina on March 13, 2024, and driven it to New Mexico before it became disabled.
New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare was sent to the location to assist Smith.
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When Officer Hare arrived at around 5:04 a.m. that morning, Smith approached the passenger side of Officer Hare’s patrol vehicle and the two had a brief talk.
Smith then shot Officer Hare with a Taurus 9mm pistol that he had stolen in South Carolina.
Smith then moved to the driver’s side window and shot Officer Hare two more times. Smith then got into Officer Hare’s patrol vehicle and proceeded westbound on Interstate 40 before taking the first exit.
After traveling some distance, Smith removed Officer Hare from the car and kept driving the police unit until it crashed in Guadalupe County, New Mexico.
Officer Hare died as a result of the injuries Smith caused during the carjacking and kidnapping.
Smith is charged in the federal indictment with carjacking resulting in death, causing death by the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, kidnapping resulting in death, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possessing a stolen firearm, and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
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If Smith is convicted on the current charges, he faces a mandatory life sentence or death for kidnapping resulting in death, as well as any number of years up to life in prison for carjacking and discharge of a handgun.
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