On Friday morning, a New Mexico State Police officer was tragically shot and killed near Tucumcari, with authorities stating that the suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

The fatal incident occurred on Interstate 40 around mile marker 320, as reported by New Mexico State Police shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

Further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting are currently unclear, with authorities pledging to provide more information later.

Alongside the announcement, police shared a blurry image of the suspect, described as wearing a brown hoodie and jacket at the time.

Around 1:20 p.m., the New Mexico State Police released a second photo of the suspect, Fox News reported.

According to authorities, the suspect was last observed on foot on the I-40 Frontage Road at milepost 304, located between Montoya and Newkirk.

According to the Quay County Sun, citing Police Chief Patti Lopez, the shooting incident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning.

Written by B.C. Begley