A South Carolina man, Jaremy Smith, pleaded guilty to charges related to the fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare, who had stopped to assist him in March 2024. The plea was part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, with Smith now facing a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
This marks a significant development in the case, which had been set for trial. Smith had previously pleaded not guilty to various charges, including kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death. He is also implicated in a separate murder in South Carolina.
Officer Hare, who had been with the state police since 2018, was fatally shot after offering Smith a ride. The incident occurred on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari when Smith, after shooting Hare, drove away in the officer’s patrol car. Smith was captured two days later in Albuquerque following a tip from a gas station clerk.
The tragedy has highlighted public safety concerns in New Mexico, with officials, including State Police, expressing dissatisfaction with current state laws and calling for stronger measures against repeat offenders.
While the federal government opted not to seek the death penalty for Smith, it remains a possibility in South Carolina. The case continues to draw attention to law enforcement’s challenges in ensuring public safety.