Dyer County, Tenn.- As a result of the ongoing investigation by the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the department has issued arrest warrants on Jackson Hopper for attempted first degree murder against a law enforcement officer, felony evading arrest in a vehicle, reckless driving, and resisting arrest.
Jackson Hopper was charged with first-degree murder after killing his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend, Ellie Claire Young of Henning, Tennessee, at Shelby Farms, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. He is 26.
Ellie Claire Young was well known in our area.
Hopper also faces new charges in Tipton County which include: reckless driving, aggravated assault, driving on the roadway into traffic, speeding 21+ over the speed limit, resisting arrest, disregarding a stop sign, filing a false report, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm in the commission of dangerous felony, and felony evading arrest.
Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said, “This suspect shot and killed an innocent woman enjoying the day with her parents. He then began to flee from officers through multiple counties, driving on the wrong side of Highway 51, endangering the lives of officers and many citizens. All in an attempt to escape justice. He tried to kill a constable in Tipton County and attempted to kill one of my deputies with his vehicle. Upon realizing the threat he posed driving on the wrong side of Highway 51 through Dyersburg – our agency authorized deadly force (a PIT maneuver) to stop this suspect before killing more innocent people.
‘He had 70 miles and 4 counties to stop. He refused. He was given multiple commands by officers to show his hands. He refused. Before he was able to shoot officers or attempt to flee on foot, he was pulled from the vehicle with a loaded handgun nearby. Hopper immediately began fighting and resisting while ignoring the loud clear commands from law enforcement officers. He also attempted to take the service weapon of an officer.
‘Law enforcement officers wage war every day on the streets against the most violent criminals to keep innocent people safe – it’s not always easy, pretty, or safe. Officers are sworn to use necessary force in order to get Hopper into handcuffs without any further loss of life which they were eventually able to do. He could have peacefully surrendered or turned himself in to authorities, however, Hopper made it very clear early on that he did not want to go to jail and was not going to jail easily. I am proud of our deputy who heroically performed a PIT maneuver which proved to be a life-saving decision for innocent motorists on Highway 51 in Dyer County and it is routine procedure for an internal review to be completed any time deadly force is used to effect an arrest. Thank you to all the citizens who took evasive action to keep from being hit head on by Hopper and all the officers involved are very fortunate to have survived. Remembering the life of Ellie Young and doing everything we can to reduce violence against women is the focus of our efforts going forward – we hope you will join us on that mission.”
The 29th District Attorney General Danny Goodman will be prosecuting this case.