Jaremy Smith: Man suspected of killing cop who helped with his flat tire also linked to paramedic's murder

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

MARION COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Authorities are currently conducting a manhunt for a 32-year-old believed to be responsible for the murder of a paramedic in South Carolina. 

The suspect Jaremy Smith allegedly fled the scene in paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore's vehicle and traveled to New Mexico, where he fatally shot Officer Justin Hare, who had stopped to assist him with a flat tire. 

The Marion County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina revealed that police are also probing his involvement in the death of paramedic Machado-Fore, whose body was discovered on Friday following a report by her family.

What did Police Chief Troy Weisle report?

During the press conference, New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler issued a message to Jaremy Smith, urging him to surrender peacefully. 

Weisler emphasized that there is no place Smith can hide where they won't find him, as Law & Crime reported.

Additionally, Weisler recounted the events that occurred on Friday, March 15 around 5 am. 

He claimed that Officer Justin Hare was dispatched to Interstate 40 near milepost 318 to aid a motorist in a white BMW with a flat tire. 

After parking behind the disabled vehicle, Smith, allegedly driving a white BMW, approached Officer Hare's passenger side window. 

Following a brief conversation, Smith reportedly shot Officer Hare and then proceeded to shoot him again before pushing him into the passenger seat and driving away in the patrol car. 

Dispatch attempts to reach Hare were unsuccessful, prompting an officer to investigate. 

Soon, the officer observed Hare's patrol car speeding along a frontage road parallel to the interstate. 

Upon reaching milepost 304, the officer discovered Hare's crashed patrol unit, with no sign of the driver. 

Hare was later found on the frontage road near milepost 312 and was transported to Danbury Hospital in Tucumcari, where he died.

Police identify the suspect

Police officials promptly identified the suspect with the help of Officer Hare's police unit dashboard camera. 

Additionally, authorities linked him to the BMW, which belonged to paramedic Machado-Fore. 

She was reported missing on Thursday, March 14, and discovered deceased on Friday after law enforcement received information leading them to a property in Dillon County, South Carolina. 

Warrants were issued for Smith in connection with Hare's murder; however, Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. 

Expressing condolences, Wallace acknowledged, “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”

The accused, Smith has a lengthy criminal record, primarily in South Carolina, spanning over a decade

Officer Hare, a five-year veteran of the force, was described as a community stalwart, residing in his childhood home. 

Chief Weisler lamented Hare's tragic demise, highlighting his selfless act of offering assistance to someone he believed was in need, only to be fatally attacked.