Newton police officers chased a motorcyclist three separate times on the night of June 26 before the motorcyclist was shot and killed by an officer, an assistant district attorney said in court on Tuesday.
That officer is now charged with murder in the shooting.
Newton Police Department Lt. Carlos Alverto Uribe, 28, of Conover, is charged with felony second-degree murder. A Catawba County Grand Jury indicted Uribe on Monday.
On Tuesday, Uribe appeared in Catawba County District Court with defense attorney Michael Neece. District Court Judge Andrea Plyler gave Uribe a $100,000 secured bond.
If convicted, Uribe could face up to life in prison.
What happened on June 26?
Catawba County Chief Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gould said 21-year-old Camden Skyler Childers, of Stanley, was shot and killed following a police chase on the night of June 26.
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Carlos Alverto Uribe is escorted into the Catawba County District Court wearing a striped jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Around 11:56 p.m. that night, Newton police officers and officers from other agencies attempted to stop Childers’ motorcycle for lack of proper registration along the 700 block of U.S. Highway 70 in Catawba County. Childers did not stop, and officers pursued. The chase reached a high rate of speed and was called off shortly after. Gould said Childers returned to the area and was chased a second time. The second chase was called off. Childers returned a third time, Gould said.
The third chase ended in a cul-de-sac on Northern Drive Northeast in Conover. Gould said Uribe cut the motorcycle off with his patrol vehicle. The vehicles collided.
“Mr. Childers exited off of the motor vehicle with his hands open and raised in the air,†Gould said. “Mr. Childers did not offer a weapon, and officers had no indication of a weapon being in play.â€
A female officer pointed her gun at Childers and began giving commands. Gould said Childers was facing the female officer with his empty hands raised in the air.
“At the same time, Lt. Uribe exited his vehicle with his firearm in his right hand, with his finger on the trigger,†Gould said. “Lt. Uribe quickly approached Mr. Childers and made the statement to the effect of ‘You done effed up.’â€
Childers turned to face Uribe with his hands still raised. Uribe used his right leg to kick Childers in the abdomen. Childers doubled over slightly and then fell onto his back with his hands behind him, Gould said.
“Uribe’s momentum carried him forward, and he landed on his left knee,†Gould said. “At that point, Lt. Uribe extended his right arm out, pointed his gun directly at Mr. Childers’ chest, and fired one shot. At this time, Mr. Childers’ hands were still behind him on the ground.â€
Gould said Childers began screaming after he was shot.
“In response, Lt. Uribe approached Mr. Childers and angrily stated something to the effect of, ‘That’s what you get for going for an officer’s gun.’â€
Childers died a short time later at an area hospital.
Defense Attorney Michael Neece, left, represented Lt. Carlos Alverto Uribe during his first appearance on second-degree murder.
Gould said Uribe stated he believed Childers was going to headbutt him or take his gun. Gould said evidence called by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation suggested Childers was not attempting to grab Uribe’s gun and posed no threat at the time.
“In my six years as district attorney, I have reviewed approximately 15 officer-involved shootings,†District Attorney Scott Reilly said in a statement. “In each one of those cases, the use of force was deemed to be legally justified.â€
As of Monday night, Uribe was on unpaid administrative leave while the Newton Police Department conducts an internal investigation, according to a news release.
If Uribe is able to post bail, he is ordered to surrender his passport to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, remain in the United States and is forbidden from contacting the victim’s family.
“I have great respect for the professionalism and restraint shown by the men and women in law enforcement throughout our district, even in the most dangerous of situations,†Reilly said. “I recognize the difficulty and gravity of the decisions officers face on a daily basis. However, when the line is crossed — when excessive or unlawful force results in a loss of life — my obligation is to the law and to justice. That duty requires accountability, regardless of profession or position.â€
Childers’ family was not present in Catawba County District Court on Tuesday. Multiple members of Uribe’s family were present and crying. Uribe’s family declined to comment.
“Justice is about fairness, due process and equal application of the law,†Reilly said. “No one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection.â€
Uribe is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
