Newly released footage shows the chilling moment when a New Mexico police officer is shot during a traffic stop in New Mexico.
The video from Police Officer Darrian Jarrott’s police car dashcam shows the police officer approaching a Chevy pickup truck on Interstate-10 on February 4 and interrogating the driver, who was detained for having dark-tinted windows.
WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT AND LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE DISRUPTING
During a peaceful exchange lasting several minutes, the driver identifies himself as Omar Felix Cueva and admits having a firearm in the vehicle, according to news reports.
“Do you mind if I take it from you for my safety?” Jarrott is heard asking Cueva, according to footage published by Fox News.
Jarrott, who was on the passenger side of the truck, then asks Cueva to follow him back to his patrol car so he can call his name – when things turn deadly.
Cueva gets out of the pickup with an AR-15 style rifle and opens fire.
“Oh st!” hears the cop scream before falling to the ground.
Cueva, 39, sped off, left Jarrott on the side of the road, and led New Mexico Police on a fast 40-mile chase – before being killed in a shootout with police.
State police said Cuvea had “a violent criminal history” and was headed for a drug deal when he was apprehended by Jarrott, a five-year police veteran, KVIA-TV said.
“Even when there was a difficult situation, the man always smiled,” said Robert Thornton, New Mexico police chief, of Jarrott after his death.
Another police officer was injured and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.