Newton officer fatally shoots 21-year-old motorcyclist after late-night chase

NEWTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A 21-year-old man was fatally shot by an officer during a confrontation following an overnight police chase that began in Newton and ended in Conover.

Just before midnight on Thursday, June 26, Newton officers tried to stop a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 70 near the 700 block.

According to police, the motorcyclist was being pulled over for multiple violations, including speeding, reckless driving, and failing to display a license plate.

However, the driver, later identified as Camden Skyler Childers, 21, of Stanley, did not stop. Instead, police said he sped off, leading officers on a chase into the nearby city of Conover.

The chase came to an end on Northern Drive NW, where the motorcyclist collided with a patrol vehicle. After the crash, police said a brief physical struggle occurred, during which an officer fired their weapon, striking Childers.

Newton Police said officers at the scene began life-saving efforts, and EMS was called. Childers was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center but later died from his injuries.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while both an internal review and an independent investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are underway, as is standard protocol.

Authorities said the investigation remains active. Anyone who may have additional information is asked to contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.