Tennessee Medical Student Allegedly Shot & Killed By Ex-Boyfriend During Cancer Charity Walk

October 28, 2024

Read Time:3 Minute

Tennessee medical student Ellie Claire Young, 22, lost her life at a cancer charity walk after her ex-boyfriend allegedly shot her. Authorities later identified the shooter as 26-year-old Jackson Hopper.

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Details On Tragic Death Of Tennessee Medical Student

On Oct. 19, at 12:15 p.m. deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of Shelby Farms Visitor’s Center in Memphis. PEOPLE reports that Elie Claire Young, a young woman at the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk. Authorities eventually found Young lying near her Jeep Wrangler with multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses claim that Ellie parked her Jeep when a white Honda CR-V with a temporary Kentucky plate pulled up behind her. Police allege that the driver, Jackson Hopper from Tiptonville, fired two shots into the back of her Jeep, per PEOPLE. As Ellie exited her vehicle, Hopper shot her again while she lay on the ground. License plate cameras at the park entrance captured Ellie’s Jeep entering at 12:11 p.m., with Hopper’s SUV closely behind.

Detectives found five 9mm shell casings and three live rounds at the scene. The incident sparked an 80-mile high-speed chase, and authorities allege that it ended with Hopper crashing his car. According to USA Today, officers took Jackson Hopper into custody after the chase. Reports say his car flipped over onto the center barrier of a roadway in Dyer County. Family members reportedly told authorities that Ellie recently broke up with Jackson.

Sheriff Shannon Beasley of Tipton County, whose officers participated in Jackson Hopper’s arrest, opened an internal investigation to review the incident, per CBS News.

“We are working alongside other agencies and officials as we conduct an internal investigation into this matter. A review of body camera and in-car camera footage, as well as witness statements, are being reviewed and released to the Attorney General’s Office. We will review all pertinent material before drawing any conclusions and we ask that everyone do the same,” Beasley said in a statement on Facebook.

More Info On Ellie Claire Young & What’s Next For Jackson Hopper

USA Today noted that authorities accuse Jackson Hopper of shooting Ellie Claire Young. Jail records show he is currently held without bond in Shelby County.

Shelby County Attorney Steve Mulroy told WREG that his office requested the court deny bond until a hearing, citing the case’s severity.

“The murder of Ellie Young at Shelby Farms Park is a heartbreaking tragedy, and my deepest condolences go out to her family and friends,” Mulroy stated.

Family and friends came together for a vigil to honor Ellie Claire Young’s life on Tuesday, (Oct. 22). Many shared how much she meant to them and the world.

“Ellie was a light in this world,” relative Hollie McMillian told USA Today. “That’s what her name means, and that’s how I’m going to choose to remember her.”

A GoFundMe set up for Ellie’s family to cover her funeral expenses is close to reaching its $50,000 goal. The fundraiser’s caption expressed heartbreak over the Tennessee medical student’s passing and mentioned her dream of becoming a physician.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am reaching out to our community for support for Ellie Claire Young’s funeral and memorial expenses. Ellie was taken from us too soon. A beautiful soul inside and out, Ellie dedicated her life towards serving others, and was well on her way to becoming an incredible physician,” the caption reads.