The suspect in the shooting death of a New Mexico state police officer is also a person of interest in the death of a South Carolina paramedic found dead in Dillon County, South Carolina, Friday night.
Phonesia Machado-Fore’s car was found in New Mexico, at the spot where 32-year-old Smith is believed to have shot Officer Justin Hare, 35. Hare was called to assist a car with a flat tire on Interstate 40 on Friday, WMBF reported. New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said Smith approached Hare’s patrol car on the passenger side, and the officer offered him a ride into town.
“Then, without warning, the suspect pulled out a firearm and shot Officer Hare,” said Weisler. “The suspect then walked to the driver’s side and shot Officer Hare again.”
Smith shoved the officer into the passenger seat and drove off in the patrol car, which was later found abandoned. Smith reportedly fled on foot and has not been located.
Hare was found on a frontage road nearby and was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Machado-Fore, a Florence County paramedic, had been reported missing earlier this week, before her car was found in New Mexico.
“Mrs. Fore was one of us, a fellow first responder,” Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace said in a statement. “Her death is senseless. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss. My team and I will not stop until we bring the person or persons responsible for her death to justice.”
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Officials cautioned that Smith should be considered armed and dangerous. WBMF reported on an extensive criminal history, that included an escape from prison.
New Mexico officials said he had ties to Albuquerque but did not provide details.
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[Featured image: Phonesia Machado-Fore/Marion County Sheriff’s Office; Jaremy Smith and Justin Hare/New Mexico State Police]
