A New Mexico Police Officer Has Been Shot And Killed During A Traffic Stop

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A police officer in Hatch, New Mexico was shot and killed Friday during a traffic stop. The shooter and his two passengers fled the scene, prompting a high-speech chase. All three suspects are now in custody.

Officer Jose Chavez pulled over a 1991 Lexus four-door at 3:41pm. According to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s office, “another Hatch officer had just arrived at the traffic stop to assist the first officer when a passenger from the vehicle exited and fired shots.” That backup officer returned fire at the gunman’s car as it fled the scene. A third officer chased the Lexus while the second called the paramedics and stayed with Chavez. After being rushed to the hospital, Chavez died after undergoing surgery.

The suspects raced down Interstate 25 at speeds topping 100 mph, the Sheriff’s office said. After about 25 minutes of high speed pursuit, the suspects pulled into a rest stop. There, they carjacked a red Chevrolet Cruze, shooting that car’s owner and sending him to the hospital. Sheriff’s deputies followed the Cruze, using a tire-deflating gadget to stop the car. When the driver — later identified as Jesse Hanes — finally surrendered, it became apparent that he had sustained a gunshot wound on his right thigh. He was transported to the hospital.

Kelly Jameson, spokeswoman for the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that Hanes and two other suspects were arrested following the shooting. Hanes and one of his passengers are also wanted on murder charges in Ohio.

(Via CNN)

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