Jackson Hopper, Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Ellie Claire Young at Shelby Farms Park

SHELBY FARMS, TN – A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the tragic shooting of 22-year-old Ellie Claire Young during a cancer walk event at Shelby Farms Park on Saturday. Jackson Hopper, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, has been charged with first-degree murder following the incident that occurred around 12:15 PM in the parking lot of the Visitor Center.

Emergency medical services responded swiftly to the scene, but tragically, Young was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene, and one witness captured an image of Hopper’s parked white Honda CRV behind Young’s Jeep at the time of the shooting. This crucial piece of evidence confirmed that the vehicle’s Kentucky temporary tags matched those recorded by a license plate reader camera at the entrance of Shelby Farms Park.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Hopper fled the scene, prompting a multi-county high-speed pursuit involving law enforcement agencies from Shelby County, Tipton County, and Lauderdale County. The chase reached its climax in Dyer County, where a deputy executed a Precision Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to bring Hopper’s vehicle to a halt. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a local emergency room for evaluation.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a loaded handgun in Hopper’s vehicle, adding further weight to the case against him. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the various law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit and subsequent arrest, including the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Mason Police Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The investigation into the homicide is ongoing, and authorities have confirmed that the shooting was domestic-related, stemming from the previous relationship between Hopper and Young. The case has shocked the local community, especially considering Young was attending a cancer awareness event at the time of the shooting. Family and friends remember her as a strong individual who had overcome significant health challenges.

As the investigation unfolds, community members are left grappling with the impact of this senseless act of violence. The local law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with additional information regarding the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in ensuring justice for Young and her loved ones.