New Mexico cop Darrian Jarrott's shooting death during traffic stop: video
By: Jorge Fitz-Gibbon (New York Post)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Enlarge ImageA New Mexico police officer Darian Jarrott was tragically shot and killed during a routine traffic stop that set off a 40-mile chase earlier this year, ending with the suspect also dying in a shootout with police.New Mexico State Police
Newly released footage shows the chilling moment a New Mexico cop is gunned down during a traffic stop in New Mexico.
The video from the dashcam of Police Officer Darrian Jarrott's squad car shows the state cop approaching a Chevy pickup truck on Interstate-10 on Feb. 4 and questioning the driver, who was pulled over for having overly dark tinted windows.
During a peaceful exchange that lasts several minutes, the driver identifies himself as Omar Felix Cueva and admits he has a firearm in the vehicle, according to news reports.
New Mexico State Police shows Officer Darian Jarrott.AP
"You mind if I take it off you for my safety?" Jarrott is heard asking Cueva, according to footage published by Fox News.
Jarrott, who was standing on the passenger's side of the truck, then asks Cueva to follow him back to his squad car so he can run his name — when things turn deadly.
Cueva steps out of the pickup holding an AR-15-style rifle and opens fire.
"Oh s-t!" the cop is heard yelling before he falls to the ground.
Cueva, 39, sped off, leaving Jarrott on the side of the road, and led New Mexico cops on a 40-mile high-speed chase — before he was killed in a shootout with police.
State police said Cuvea had "a violent criminal history," and was en route to a drug deal when he was pulled over by Jarrott, a five-year veteran of the force, KVIA-TV said.
Suspect Omar Felix Cueva was later killed in a shootout with police. New Mexico State Police
"Even when there was a situation that was tough, the guy was always smiling," New Mexico State Police Chief Robert Thornton said of Jarrott after his death.
Another state cop was wounded and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Who is online
70 visitors