Posted on October 19, 2018

NC Trooper Kevin Conner Killed During Traffic Stop in Columbus County

WTVD-TV, October 17, 2018

A North Carolina State Trooper is dead after authorities said he was shot during a traffic stop Wednesday morning.

Highway Patrol identified the trooper as Kevin K. Conner. Conner, 38, had been on the force for 11 years. He was assigned to Troop B, District 5, which was based in Columbus County.

The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Raheem Cole Dashanell Davis.

He is charged with first-degree murder.

Conner pulled over a pickup about midnight on US 701 near Sellers Town Road in Columbus County.

When Conner approached the driver’s side of the truck, the driver — later identified as Davis — opened fire.

NC State Highway Patrol said Conner died from his injuries after being taken to a nearby hospital.

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At that point, the suspect jumped out of his truck and ran. Law enforcement members eventually tracked him down and arrested him.

Bladen County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Larry Guyton said the suspect was caught around 4 a.m. in the woods near Fair Bluff, which is west of Whiteville near the South Carolina line.

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