The fatal shooting of a New Mexico State Police officer Thursday led to a high-speed chase that ended in a shootout with the suspect.
State Police said Officer Darian Jarrott was killed on Interstate 10 near the town of Akela in Luna County, about 70 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas.
Jarrott, 28, initiated a traffic stop of a white pickup truck while "assisting Homeland Security Investigations," according to NMSP chief Robert Thornton in a press conference late Thursday.
The driver of the truck, identified by police as Omar Felix Cueva, 39, shot and killed Jarrott before heading east on the interstate toward Las Cruces.
Police said they intercepted Cueva approximately 15 miles from the fatal shooting, where Cueva pulled over and fired at responding officers. Gunfire was exchanged before Cueva fled again.
Law enforcement from multiple departments gave chase, Thornton said, including officers from NMSP, US Border Patrol, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office and Las Cruces Police Department.
As Cueva entered Las Cruces, police deployed spike strips to damage the truck's tires.
According to Thornton, a Las Cruces officer also executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique to force the truck sideways.
The video showed a Las Cruces police cruiser shoving the truck off of the road. After the truck slides to a halt, Cueva is seen emerging from the vehicle and pointing a firearm at police amid sounds of gunfire.
One officer is seen crouching behind the police vehicle closest to the truck.
The gunfire continues until police approach the truck as Cueva appears motionless next to the vehicle.
State Police confirmed that Cueva was shot at least once and died on the scene.
One Las Cruces officer was injured in the shooting, but police said the officer was treated at an area hospital and released.
Jarrott began his career as a transportation inspector with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
He was sworn in as a NMSP officer in July 2015.Jarrott is survived by three young children, with a fourth expected this year, according to NMSP chief Thornton.
"We're here to honor Officer Darian Jarrett, for his sacrifice and what he's done for this community and done for this state," Thornton said, sharing that one of Jarrott's captains described the officer as the "nicest guy he ever met, that always had a smile on his face."
Latest Stories
-
Mahama vows to create an agro-processing zone in Afram Plains
5 mins -
Political parties should plan for losses, not just wins – IGP advises
7 mins -
524 Diasporan Africans granted Ghanaian citizenship in ceremony
8 mins -
Mahama urges Afram Plains North residents to avoid ‘skirt and blouse’ voting
10 mins -
Asantehene receives more 19th century gold ornament and regalia
17 mins -
Hohoe Ghana Blind Union organises training for members ahead of Election 2024
24 mins -
Alan Kyerematen reveals his future plans for Ghanaian Health professionals
25 mins -
AAIN empowers women and small enterprises in Upper East Region through SHINE project
26 mins -
Akufo-Addo leads nationwide commissioning of 80 educational projects
32 mins -
Ghana and Seychelles strengthen bilateral ties with focus on key sectors
1 hour -
National Elections Security Taskforce meets political party heads ahead of December elections
1 hour -
Samsung’s AI-powered innovations honored by Consumer Technology Association
1 hour -
Fugitive Zambian MP arrested in Zimbabwe – minister
2 hours -
Town council in Canada at standstill over refusal to take King’s oath
2 hours -
Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws
2 hours