NEWTON — A former Newton Police Department lieutenant has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison following the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man during a traffic stop last year.
Carlos Uribe, who served as a lieutenant with the department, received his sentence on Thursday after entering a guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder. The conviction stems from the death of Camden Childers, who was killed during a confrontation with Uribe in June 2025.
The incident began on a summer day when Uribe attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Childers, who was operating a motorcycle. According to police reports, Uribe targeted the 21-year-old for allegedly speeding and failing to display a valid registration plate. The initial attempt to stop the motorcyclist escalated into a pursuit throughout parts of Catawba County.
The chase ultimately reached a conclusion when Childers crashed his motorcycle. Authorities stated that shortly after the crash, a “brief physical altercation” ensued between the officer and the young man. It was during this struggle that Uribe opened fire, striking Childers. Emergency responders transported the 21-year-old to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Newton community, drawing significant scrutiny toward the actions of the former lieutenant. The sentencing marks a somber end to a legal process that began shortly after the shooting, which prompted investigations into the conduct of the Newton Police Department during the encounter.
During the hearing, the gravity of the incident was underscored as the court addressed the tragic loss of life resulting from a routine traffic enforcement action. For the family of Camden Childers, the guilty plea and subsequent prison sentence offer a measure of accountability for the events of that day.
Following the shooting, Uribe was removed from his position at the department. While his defense team navigated the complexities of the second-degree murder charge, the resolution on Thursday brought the legal proceedings to a close. Uribe will now serve a prison term of up to a decade as mandated by the court.
The Newton Police Department has not released further details regarding internal policy changes in the wake of the incident, but the conviction serves as a stark reminder of the legal and moral consequences facing law enforcement officers who use lethal force during field encounters. As the community continues to process the aftermath of the tragedy, the focus remains on the life lost and the finality of the court’s decision.
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