In a serious legal case that has shocked the community, a police officer in North Carolina has been charged with second-degree murder after shooting and killing a 21-year-old motorcyclist during a late-night traffic stop gone wrong.
Who Is the Officer Involved?
The officer charged is Carlos Alverto Uribe, 28 years old, a lieutenant with the Newton Police Department (NPD). He is currently on administrative leave without pay. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) handled the case after the NPD requested an outside review.
What Happened That Night?
The incident took place on June 26, 2025, just before midnight. According to prosecutors, officers attempted to stop Camden Childers, 21, who was riding a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 70. He was reportedly driving recklessly, speeding, and not displaying a registration plate.
Childers did not stop for police, and this led to three separate high-speed chases. The final chase ended in a cul-de-sac in Conover, about 45 miles northwest of Charlotte, where the motorcycle crashed into a police vehicle.
Why Was the Officer Charged?
After the crash, police said there was a “brief physical altercation.” But according to prosecutors, body camera footage tells a different story.
They say Childers raised his hands as instructed by another officer. Uribe then kicked him in the stomach, knocked him to the ground, and shot him once in the chest. Childers’ hands were reportedly still raised and empty when the shot was fired.
Uribe was later heard saying, “That’s what you get for going for an officer’s gun.” However, prosecutors say there is no video evidence that Childers ever tried to grab a weapon.
How Did Authorities Respond?
After reviewing the evidence, including body cam footage, dashcam recordings, and witness interviews, the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office decided that Uribe’s use of force was not legally justified. He was indicted and later turned himself in to authorities.
Court Hearing and Bail Conditions
During his first court appearance, Uribe appeared in a jail jumpsuit instead of his police uniform. He was released on $100,000 bail, but must follow certain conditions:
He cannot contact Childers’ family and had to surrender his passport.
Statement from the District Attorney
District Attorney Scott Reilly explained his decision clearly. He said this is the first time in six years he has found a police shooting not justified, after reviewing 15 similar incidents. He stressed that “no one is above the law” and that justice must be fair and equal, regardless of a person’s profession or position.
This case has raised many questions about police accountability and use of force in the United States. As the legal process continues, the focus now shifts to whether the actions taken by Officer Uribe were truly lawful or crossed a line.
The court’s upcoming decisions will be closely watched, not just by the victim’s family, but by communities across the country.
