NC officer indicted on murder charge after fatally shooting motorcyclist: NCSBI

NEWTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — An officer has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a motorcyclist following an overnight police chase last month, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

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

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

The driver, later identified as Camden Skyler Childers, 21, of Stanley, did not stop, and the chase continued 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, Lt. Carlos Alverto Uribe, has been placed on administrative leave while both an internal review and an independent investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) were conducted.

Following the initial findings, the information was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office of July 8. The following day, the DA announced the matter would go before the Catawba County Grand Jury.

As a result of the investigation, on July 21, the Grand Jury indicted Lt. Uribe for second-degree murder. Lt. Uribe turned himself in the the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office after being served the indictment.

In accordance with departmental policy, he remains on administrative leave without pay.

“While we are committed to transparency and accountability, we will refrain from commenting
further on the facts of the case or the indictment, out of respect for the ongoing legal
proceedings,” said the police department. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected by this tragedy. We trust the judicial system to address this matter thoroughly and impartially.”