[Music] [Music] on Tuesday March 12th 2024 52-year-old former Williamsburg County paramedic fonia Machado fory was last seen at her home on Wildwood Loop in Maran County South Carolina and reported missing days later her lifeless body was discovered brutally murdered on Janes Drive in Lake View Dylan County a chilling Revelation that would ignite a nationwide search for answers as the investigation unfolded authorities focused on one man Jeremy Alexander Smith driving Machado for's white BMW Smith vanished into the night leaving a trail of Suspicion in his wake what began as a local homicide would soon escalate into a cross-country Pursuit culminating in a tragic encounter on a remote stretch of New Mexico Highway everyone Ian Klein here for wmbf news at the alert desk this evening we do not have a six o' but we are following what has turned out to be kind of a crazy story out of the PD we've been following it since earlier this week about a PD paramedic reported missing has now been found dead uh we're learning more and more information about what led to this stretching not just from here in South Carolina but actually going all the way almost across the state into to New Mexico we're going to start off first uh with where we began with this missing person's case we were told that uh Florence County uh EMS worker phenicia Machado 4 her body was recently found in Dylan County yesterday evening again she was reported missing earlier this week we're told that her body was found in the area of Jones Drive this is near Lake View again the Maran County Sheriff's Office giving us this information just a few hours ago as a more and more more details start to develop with this story again Machado 4 was a paramedic with the Florence County EMS last seen on Tuesday at her home on Wildwood Loop she was reported missing by Authorities on Thursday the Maran County deputies said that information found through this investigation actually LED authorities to where her body was found yesterday evening uh Florence County Sheriff TJ Joy also saying his department is quote grieving to the senseless loss of a loved one and one of their own in the area now as this kind of starts going on again she was missing from the Florence area body found yesterday but then this is where it starts to take an interesting turn her car was found in New Mexico this is a crime scene video we received out of that area and this is where the story really starts to take an interesting turn the New Mexico State Police let us though let us know that her car was found at the scene of what was now a deadly shooting claiming the life of a state police officer yesterday well we're told that the suspect right now is 32-year-old Jeremy Smith who has ties to Maran he is wanted for the death of a 35-year-old officer Justin hair he was actually coming to the scene to uh help Smith out and he is currently that person of interest we're told by New Mexico State Police that hair was called to assist with a vehicle on I40 for a flat tire we're then told that the suspect Smith appr approached his police car and shot him through the passenger window the suspect then came over to the driver's side shooting him again and drove off then that's where we kind of picked up this scene where uh the car from the EMS worker out of Florence was then left behind so now he becomes our Person of Interest here's some of the information that we've been coming trying to figure out uh some actual records show that he has over a decade of uh criminal history within the Maran County area according to public records Smith records include escaping from a prison in 2014 um they're accused of beating two Detention officers and then ran out of the gate were eventually captured pleading guilty to charges related to that escape he had charges dating back to 2013 for very similar to this case discharging a firearm into a vehicle pointing and presenting a firearm to a person armed robbery second degree burglary and obtaining stolen goods again Smith he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached anyone with information can call the New Mexico State Police Department at 505 425 6771 again this is one of those stories that we have been following uh throughout the week now a lot of new developments coming in just within the last 24 hours um and we're going to continue to try to find more information we're starting to kind of wonder how he was able to get out of prison what exactly his previous charges were we're told that he has connections to the Albuquerque New Mexico area but not too much um was elaborated on that connection we do not know what Smith and Machado 4's relationship was if they knew each other in the area or if what all of these ties are again different moving Parts but right now we know that two um people are dead including Machado 4 who was an EMS worker and again that New Mexico State Police Officer Smith still at large we'll show you his picture one more time again wanted um in this deadly shooting of the New Mexico State Police Officer um that was simply just trying to help him yesterday uh again he is considered armed and dangerous on the Fateful morning of Friday March 15 2024 the quiet Highway of New Mexico became the setting for a chilling and tragic series of events Jeremy Alexander Smith a 33-year-old man from Maran South Carolina was driving a white BMW putting miles between himself and his home state the car belonged to phonesia Machado for a beloved paramedic from South Carolina who had been reported missing just days earlier tragically her lifeless body was discovered near Lake View in Dylan County the victim of a brutal murder leaving her family and Community devastated the Marian County Sheriff's Office identified Smith as a person of interest fleeing South Carolina in Machado 4's car Smith's Journey came to an abrupt halt in the desolate darkness of Interstate 40 west of tucumari New Mexico a flat tire stranded him on the roadside instead of attempting to fix the issue himself Smith stood by the disabled vehicle to wave down passing motorist for help in the early morning hours a concerned driver passing by called 911 to notify authorities that someone appeared to need help New Mexico State Police Officer Justin hair a dedicated officer with 5 years of heroic service responded to the scene it was just past 5:00 a.m. when officer ha arrived Smith approached the passenger side of the patrol car as the officer rolled down his window their conversation was brief officer hair in the spirit of Public Service offered to give Smith a ride into town what happened next was both unexpected and horrific with without warning Smith pulled out a gun and shot officer hair instantly hair was incapacitated and had no time to react Smith then walked to the driver's side and shot hair two more times in a calculated and Cold Move Smith shoved the mortally injured officer into the passenger seat stole the patrol car and drove off with officer hair still inside this senseless act of violence would soon set off a multi-state Manhunt leaving two communities mourning their fallen heroes and demanding Justice for the lives shattered in its wake We Begin this video with footage from officer hair's body cam although the scene is dark you will witness and hear the tragic events unfold viewer discretion is advised 66 to Gabby 97 hey hey bud got a flat tire you can help me uh what are you needing just a tire I need to ride to the store you get me there okay I can get you back to town real quick but uh nobody's open tonight well I just that's why I get time I just come back to get the car okay goe and go to the front of my car real quick I'll meet you up there real quick all I'll get you [Music] [Music] f for 66 to Carby 97 you can't find them or what is that here what 66 what who 966 here yes 961 norcom 961 norcom out of 966 off the 311 exit he's 10 7 time 7 get all units here now here brother hey hey brother here here here 961 norcom I need a 55 now 961 norcom 961 norcom I need a 55 now here hey brother brother hey hey it's okay brother I can't tell what the f going on he has a gunshot went the neck gunshot went the neck dude I need bro one gun under the head as well brother here bro hey that's we be rolling to 55 in what's your current 20 961 norcom I'm on the Frontage Road I don't know the exact M marker but it's directly right off the front Ro at 311 here we're here bro he has one through the neck dude and the one right to the I don't have like keep fighting dude keep fighting bro we're here dude this get keep fighting dude here here you're all right brother here it's going to be okay dude fighting dude come on man you're going to be okay stay with us you're all right brother here's the other one it's okay it's right here on the forehead you're going to be okay brother we love you dude you'll be okay you're okay be all right bro we're right here dude Jeremy Smith had fled the scene on foot leaving a grim trail behind officer hair was discovered on Interstate 40 near mile poost 312 approximately 7 miles from the wrecked patrol car Gravely injured ha was rushed to a nearby hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries New Mexico State Police swiftly issued an arrest warrant for Jeremy Alexander Smith charging him with a Litany of crimes including first-degree murder armed robbery shooting at or from a vehicle tampering with evidence unlawful possession of a firearm and more Jeremy Smith was now the most hunted man in New Mexico Jeremy Smith we are coming for you I implore you to turn yourself in this morning law enforcement on a cross country Manhunt looking for 33 y- old Jeremy Smith who they say killed one of their own In Cold Blood The Last Words officer hair uttered on this Earth was to offer help to a man who's about to kill him law enforcement say Smith is also a person of interest in the death of 52-year-old ficia Machado 4 in Dylan County South Carolina a paramedic who was reported missing on Thursday and then found dead Friday we have reason to believe that they uh they knew each other police say Smith stole Machado 4's white BMW and drove 1,500 miles across the country to Quay County New Mexico where he got a flat tire early Friday on this interstate 35-year-old officer Justin hair was dispatched to help and after a short conversation about repairing his tire and offering a ride back to town things took a deadly turn the suspect seen here on officer hair's dash cam video without warning the suspect pulled out a firearm and shot officer hair Smith then walked to the driver's side and shot officer hair again officials say officer hair's radio duress signal went off another officer dispatched and saw hair's patrol car speeding ultimately finding it empty on the side of the road hair found injured nearby officer hair died serving his State and his community on a cold dark and windy morning he offered help to a person he thought was in need that person killed him In Cold Blood gas clerk alerting authorities shortly before the capture I was a little frazzled but his first name was Jeremy his ID came from South Carolina and it looked just like the guy that shot officer the state police officer 40 minutes after that call bcso deputies began to close in on their target conment of the entire area you have a rifle with you no it's okay I got a come up here come up here [ __ ] he running he's running get over hereo where's he at he's running there it is [Music] he's Anderson Hill and M Ortiz Ortiz stop he's going to be at 3131 back here where's he at do you hear him I heard the gates open Dro that trash 315 ma Ortiz last 20 hey get over here I made contact to me he's behind 3135 stop running he's jumping pences he's going to be running jump def [Applause] fences that way that way that way that way that I didn't see him come out he's this way he's this way [Applause] Serge shot fired where's he at Sergeant where's he at where' you last see him Serge go inside you went this way that's lone lone desert go inside go inside okay yeah go inside did he jump up here he's right here stop moving stop going to get shot fire fire quit fing moving roll over roll over roll over you guys okay yeah over got a gun right here you just threw it over Mo don't move [Music] [Music] here we go what's your name bro go81 8412 hey done yeah down the road dude got what's your name bro you gerby name is yeah man that I ain't got nothing got something else pants you good 455 ready that good you right l okay bro we have the coming to get you in a tragic irony the Bernal Lilo County Sheriff's Department showed Jeremy Smith more compassion and dignity in the moments following his arrest than he ever afforded to officer Justin hair officer hair a dedicated member of the New Mexico State Police extended a helping hand to Smith when he was stranded on the highway a gesture met with betrayal and violence this stark contrast serves as a sobering reminder of the humanity that law enforcement upholds even in the face of such a devastating loss when he worked he did it with heart pride and humility whether you were speeding or had done something seriously wrong Justin was human 100% of the time he didn't he didn't always follow the rules or do things the right way but he would tell you why or have a damn good excuse whether it was him showing up to inspections with gold buns and a silver cover due to somehow not having one or us discovering after you turn gold you somehow get to wear two stars on your sleeve we can do anything but laugh and say hair and Shake our heads we all know in the wise words of Justin here he'd say something along the lines of I'm on graves nobody can tell anyway you're honestly luy did not to ever see him in a beanie and jacket that was probably more Brown than black from how much he wore the thing but Justin was Justin and nobody was going to change that we wouldn't have changed it for anything and what any of us wouldn't do for just one more hey bud although I wish I didn't have to say goodbye I wish we did in different circumstances he wasn't my blood but he was always and will be my brother forever he was a man with a loving heart and a caring Soul an extraordinary father spouse son brother and coworker role model and the list goes on the sacrifice Justin has made will never be forgotten because even though he does not walk with us he remains in our hearts and in our minds and will live on eternally so in conclusion I want to thank everybody for being here inside and outside and along the Route people who stood along the Route saluted help their hand over their hearts we appreciate it we really do we thankful that you're here supporting us so to all the officers and First Responders don't let this tragedy as as these gentlemen and ladies I said before don't let this tragedy detour you or break you you chose to do this job stay strong be safe listen to your gut it's what I always told Justin listen to your gut if it tells you something is wrong don't second guess pay attention Terry and I want you to know we full-heartedly support you we thank you for all that you do to protect us we the hairs got your back it may be a tragedy that has brought us all together but we will be together in heart throughout our lives to your families thank you for sharing your loved ones with us Justin always wanted us to tell each other when we left the house or ended a phone call to say I love you for him we ask each and every one of you to do that for your loved on with your loved ones we need more love in this world thank you let us now observe a moment of silence as we hear the last call for officer hair North column to [Applause] 966 norc to [Music] 966 966 negative response all station standby for a special broadcast this is the final call for 966 no on to 966 officer Justin hair please proceed home for your final call on the morning of March 15th 2024 officer hair responded to a welfare check and was sadly taken from us officer hair has dedicated more than 5 years of service to the citizens of New Mexico Not only was he an officer he was a brother a son a spouse and a father he will be forever missed but always in our hearts gone but never forgotten he was an exemplary officer who would on each occasion show his passion for helping others officer Justin hair badge number 304 you are clear from Duty your brothers and sisters have the watch from here norcom to 966 officer Justin hair you are 10742 we thank you for your service may you rest in peace [Music]