Widow files claim in police officer’s shooting death

ALBUQUERQUE — The wife of a New Mexico State Police officer fatally shot in the line of duty in February has filed a tort claim notice with the state seeking damages, one of the first steps in filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Gabriella Jarrott alleged that her husband, Darian Jarrott, was told to conduct a dangerous traffic stop without backup and was not informed of the details of the investigation, leading to his death.

The tort claim notice was filed recently, the Albuquerque Journal reported Monday.

New Mexico State Police on Friday made public a video of the Feb. 4 shooting in Southern New Mexico that showed Jarrott pulling over Omar Cueva, 39. Police said Cueva shot Jarrott a few minutes later multiple times.

Cueva fled the scene in his vehicle and fired on officers during the pursuit, police said. Las Cruces officers returned gunshots, fatally hitting Cueva.

Police said Jarrott was helping Homeland Security Investigation agents with a narcotics inquiry when he pulled Cueva over, but they have not released additional details on the investigation or Jarrott’s role.

Sam Bregman, the attorney for Jarrott’s family, told KOAT-TV the shooting was an ambush. Homeland Security Investigation spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa said the fact that the agency isn’t commenting “should not be construed as agreement with or stipulation to any of the allegations.”

“This investigation is active and ongoing,” state police spokesman Mark Soriano said. “The investigation is being led by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.”