22-year-old Ellie Claire Young was participating in a walk to benefit the American Cancer Society at Shelby Farms Park when she was shot and killed by 26-year-old Jackson Hopper, her ex-boyfriend. Young was a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Young was preparing to become a doctor when her life was tragically taken from her.
The shooting happened in the parking lot of Shelby Farms Visitor Center. Witness Monica Bell stated, ”This young lady, she was still running and a young lady behind her, a white car pulled up and shot her twice.”
According to investigators, Hopper drove away after the shooting. Officers in Dyer County later took him into custody after a police chase. (Fox 13 News) A witness on the scene took a picture of Hopper’s parked white Honda CRV behind the victim’s jeep at the time of the shooting. The image taken by the witness reveals the same temporary Kentucky tags as Young.
The Dyer County Sheriff’s office explained Hopper attempted to run over one of their sargeants and even drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Investigators stated the pursuit went through Tipton County, Lauderdale County, and Dyer County. The car chase ended after a pit maneuver on Highway 51 in Dyer County. Deputies reported finding a loaded handgun in the Hopper’s vehicle Hopper will remain in custody until then.
District Attorney of Shelby County Steve Mulroy stated his office asked that Hopper not be granted bond, This will be decided Monday, Oct,18. Hopper was booked at 201 Polar and charged with first-degree murder. He is also facing other charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, felony evading, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, resisting arrest, and multiple traffic violations.
