03/28/2024
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By Erin Smith

The second suspect in the shooting death of NC Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Conner made his first appearance in Columbus County District Court on Wednesday afternoon. 

North Carolina Highway Patrol, Trooper Kevin Conner

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17th, State Trooper Kevin Conner stopped a white GMC pick-up truck for a speeding violation on US 701 near Sellers Town Road in Columbus County.

The suspect was reported to have fired several shots, striking the trooper. Trooper Conner died later of his wounds at the hospital. 

Chauncy Askew, 18, of Chadbourn, was arrested in Loris, South Carolina on Tuesday (October 23) by law enforcement officials from both North Carolina and South Carolina. 

According to Ashley Bullard, with District Attorney Jon David’s office, “He (Askew) waived extradition and was brought to North Carolina on Wednesday.”

Chauncy Askew from Chadbourn NC second suspect arrested in trooper’s murder

Askew made his first appearance on Wednesday afternoon where Attorney Rick Miller was appointed to represent him by Judge Disbrow, according to court records. He is charged with first degree murder and was denied bond, according to court records. Askew is due back in court on Tuesday, November 13th.

According to WWAY, David told the court on Wednesday that video from Trooper Conner’s dash camera showed two people in the pick-up truck. David did not identify which suspect was the shooter nor did he say if the murder weapon has been located. 

The first suspect arrested in the shooting was Raheem Davis, 20, of Chadbourn. Davis is charged with first degree murder and is also being held without bond. He made his first appearance in court last week. 

Raheem Davis, suspect arrested in murder case of Trooper Kevin Conner

At a press conference held on Tuesday to announce the arrest of Askew, David said, during the course of the investigation into the shooting, it was learned there were two individuals in the pick-up truck. When asked for a timeline of when investigators learned about Askew’s involvement, David declined to comment. David said that is an aspect of the case that he cannot discuss citing ethics rules.

David also stated during the press conference investigators have the dashboard camera video from Trooper Conner’s patrol car and the video footage from a nearby convenience store. 

During the press conference on Tuesday, David said more charges against Askew and Davis may be forthcoming.

According to records with the NC Department of Corrections, Askew was convicted of felony identity fraud/theft and possession of a firearm by a felon in Cumberland County.

Related articles: 

https://bladencounty.org/nc-highway-patrol-trooper-killed-in-columbus-county/

https://bladencounty.org/suspect-in-shooting-of-highway-patrol-trooper-makes-first-appearance/

https://bladencounty.org/second-suspect-arrested-in-trooper-murder/

 

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