Alleged perpetrator flees the scene
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Officer Darian Jarrott
LEA COUNTY, N.M. New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott was assisting the US Homeland Security Investigations with the traffic stop of a Chevrolet pickup truck on February 4. During the traffic stop, the driver of the white truck, identified by NMSP as Omar Felix Cueva, fired at least one shot, striking, and killing Officer Jarrott.
HSI alerted NMSP that Officer Jarrott was down, Cueva drove away from the scene and fled eastbound on Interstate 10. At mile marker 116 Cueva pulled over, exited his truck, and fired more shots at the pursuing NMSP officers. Cueva returned to his vehicle and attempted to again flee the scene.
At this point, NMSP deployed spike strips which were successful in taking out Cueva’s tires; despite this he continued to flee eastbound. Las Cruces Police Department arrived on the scene with the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Border Patrol, according to NMSP Lieutenant Mark Soriano.
A Las Cruces officer employed a Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT, maneuver which brought the pursuit to a stop.
Cueva exited his truck and shot “multiple rounds” at the responding police, according to Lt. Soriano. Officers from all responding agencies fired back at Cueva, according to NMSP.
Cueva was struck at least once and despite attempts to render life-saving aid at the scene, Cueva died from his injuries.
At least one Las Cruces Police Officer was struck by gunfire and was airlifted to a hospital in Texas where he was treated and released.
Three NMSP officers have been placed on leave as is policy anytime an officer discharges their firearm.
“Officer Darian Jarrott began his career as a Transportation Inspector with NMDPS. He was certified as a law enforcement officer in December of 2014 and worked with the former Motor Transportation Division of NMDPS. In July of 2015, he was sworn in as a New Mexico State Police officer where he bravely served until today. Officer Jarrott leaves behind three small children and was expecting his fourth child this year,” Lt. Soriano said.
Police and other first responders across the state found ways to honor Officer Jarrott. On Feb. 5, the NMSP escorted the motorcade carrying Officer Jarrott’s body to a funeral home in Deming, N.M.