The wrongful death suit of Darian Jarrott has shed light on a tragic incident that occurred during an attempted arrest of Omar Cueva on February 4, 2021. The plan to apprehend Cueva, suspected of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl, went awry, resulting in devastating consequences.
A Fatal Encounter
According to court records and public documents, federal agencies alerted the New Mexico State Police about Cueva’s alleged criminal activities. A tactical team, along with a medical unit, was stationed on standby off Interstate 10, anticipating Cueva’s arrest. Authorities believed Cueva to be dangerous and capable of causing harm to law enforcement officers.
Unknown to Officer Darian Jarrott, he was about to encounter a life-threatening situation. Jarrott pulled over Cueva near milepost 101 on Interstate 10, completely unaware of the ominous warning Cueva had given an undercover officer. Cueva had stated that he “wasn’t going back to jail” and carried a semi-automatic rifle, intending to use it if necessary.
During the traffic stop, Cueva fatally shot Officer Jarrott, leaving behind a devastated family. Jarrott’s widow, Gabriella Jarrott, filed a civil complaint against the New Mexico State Police, holding them responsible for the wrongful death of her husband.
Allegations and Denials
The civil complaint accused the state police of sending Jarrott into an ambush without adequate protection, backup, or knowledge of the danger he faced. The state’s response to the complaint refuted these claims, objecting to the narrative as false, inflammatory, and vague.
NMSP denied any negligence in handling the situation, stating that they did not lead Jarrott into an ambush or fail to provide necessary information. They also denied having the opportunity to arrest Cueva with the officers present at the scene.
Legal Proceedings
The wrongful death lawsuit gained momentum in January when Gabriella Jarrott’s attorney, Sam Bregman, filed 12 notices of depositions. These depositions sought to interview police administrators, including Sgt. Mark Madrid, who instructed Jarrott to stop Cueva.
Sgt. Madrid, according to the Albuquerque Journal, defended NMSP’s actions and claimed that HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) was confused during the operation. He asserted that HSI did not provide him with enough information about Cueva and the potential danger he posed.
The Path Ahead
The wrongful death case is far from reaching a resolution, with jury selection scheduled to begin in December. However, delays in the proceedings are possible.
In conclusion, the Darian Jarrott wrongful death suit is a tragic reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily. The case will continue to unfold, seeking justice for the untimely loss of Officer Jarrott. We will closely monitor the legal proceedings as they unfold and hope for a fair and just resolution for all involved parties.