COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. -- The Columbus County District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty against one of the suspects in the shooting death of Trooper Kevin Conner.

Chauncy Askew, along with Raheem Davis, was charged with first degree murder after Trooper Conner was killed Wednesday, October 17, after stopping a white pickup truck for speeding on U.S. Highway 701 near Sellers Town Road in Columbus County. The driver of the truck got out and fired several shots, striking the trooper twice and fled the scene.

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In a statement, DA Jon David said:

"At this time, the State elects to seek the death penalty against Chauncy Askew. The case against Raheem Davis remains in District Court and my office will make a charging determination about him at a later date."

David says that officers perform a dangerous job, and that his office will pursue nothing less than maximum punishment.

Askew is set for case management in Superior Court on December 13.