North Carolina

Prosecutors: 2nd man facing murder charge in North Carolina trooper's death

Trooper Kevin Conner

WHITEVILLE, N.C. — A two-state manhunt led to the arrest Tuesday of a second man accused of murder in the fatal shooting of a North Carolina state trooper.

Chauncy Askew, 18, was arrested early Tuesday in South Carolina on a charge of first-degree murder, said Columbus County District Attorney Jon David. David said Askew was arrested without incident following a 24-hour manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies and a tactical unit.

[PAST COVERAGE: Gov. Cooper orders flags to fly at half-staff to honor slain NC state trooper]

Authorities say Trooper Kevin Conner was shot early Oct. 17 by the driver of a pickup truck during a traffic stop on a rural North Carolina highway. Twenty-year-old Raheem Cole Dashanell Davis, whom the Highway Patrol identified as the driver, was charged last week with first-degree murder.

David said Askew was also in the truck and described him as a "violent and dangerous person" who shared responsibility for Conner's death, but didn't elaborate on what role Askew played in the killing. David said authorities have apprehended the two men responsible for the trooper's death.

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David said Askew was being held in South Carolina and would be brought to North Carolina soon. The district attorney's office didn't immediately respond to an email asking if Askew has a lawyer.

[PAST COVERAGE: Local highway patrolman reflects on dangers of law enforcement after trooper killed]

Conner, an 11-year veteran of the patrol, was shot as he approached the pickup truck that he stopped on suspicion of speeding on a highway in rural Columbus County southwest of Whiteville. Davis was arrested hours later in a nearby town after a chase.

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