A tragic shooting during a breast cancer walk in Memphis left a 22-year-old medical student dead over the weekend. The suspect, identified as her ex-boyfriend, was apprehended following a high-speed police chase that ended in a crash, authorities confirmed.
The victim, Ellie Claire Young, was shot in the parking lot of the Shelby Farms Park Visitor Center on Saturday afternoon. According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Young was getting into her car after attending the annual cancer walk when another vehicle pulled up, and the driver opened fire. Witnesses described the terrifying scene as Memphis Fire paramedics arrived, but Young was pronounced dead at the scene.
Young, a dedicated medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was remembered by friends and family as passionate about her studies and community work. Her tragic death has left those close to her devastated and searching for answers.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as Jackson Hopper, 26, Young’s ex-boyfriend. Police said Hopper fled the scene of the shooting, prompting an immediate manhunt. Officers spotted his vehicle shortly after and engaged in a high-speed chase that stretched over 80 miles north of the incident site into Dyer County.
The pursuit ended dramatically when law enforcement officers executed a tactical maneuver, causing Hopper’s car to flip over the center barrier of a highway. Video footage captured by bystanders shows the overturned vehicle surrounded by police as they ordered Hopper to exit. When he did not comply, officers approached the car, forcibly removed him, and placed him under arrest. Hopper appeared to have sustained injuries during the crash, as evidenced by two black eyes in his booking photo.
Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley, whose officers were involved in Hopper’s arrest, announced on Tuesday that an internal investigation had been launched to examine the arrest procedure. Cellphone footage from the scene shows officers surrounding Hopper, and at least one officer appeared to punch him as they restrained him. Sheriff Beasley emphasized that a thorough review of body camera and dashcam footage, as well as witness statements, would be conducted and shared with the Attorney General’s Office.
“We are working alongside other agencies and officials to conduct a full internal investigation into this matter,” Beasley said in a statement. “We will review all relevant material before drawing any conclusions and urge everyone to do the same.”
Hopper is currently being held without bond in Shelby County, with authorities requesting that no bail be granted due to the severity of the charges. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy confirmed that Hopper is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder. “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 said.
The community has been shaken by the news, with many expressing their sorrow and outrage over the senseless act of violence. A GoFundMe page set up to support Young’s family and cover her funeral expenses had raised nearly $40,000 as of Wednesday morning. The fundraiser’s organizers described Young as a bright, compassionate young woman who was dedicated to making a difference in the world through her medical career.
As news of the arrest and subsequent investigation into police conduct circulated, community leaders have called for accountability and transparency. Advocates have stressed the importance of ensuring that police procedures are followed, especially in high-stakes situations involving armed suspects.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department have stated they will fully cooperate with the investigation and ensure that all protocols are followed appropriately. Authorities have not commented on the specific injuries Hopper may have sustained during his arrest, and it remains unclear how the internal review may affect the case moving forward.
Ellie Young’s untimely death has left a deep void in the community she served. Her friends and family describe her as a passionate, caring individual who had dedicated herself to helping others. Those who knew her are calling for justice and hope that the legal process will bring some measure of closure.
The investigation into both the shooting and the circumstances of Hopper’s arrest remains ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with additional information about the case to come forward as they continue to piece together the tragic events that led to Young’s death.