A 22-year-old medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center was fatally shot during a breast cancer charity walk in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday, October 19, 2024, police said.
Ellie Claire Young was killed in the parking lot of Shelby Farms Park after participating in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event.
Witnesses reported that Jackson Hopper, 26, Young’s ex-boyfriend, pulled up in a white Honda CRV behind Young’s Jeep Wrangler and fired two shots into her vehicle. Young exited her car, at which point Hopper allegedly fired at least one more shot as she lay on the ground, according to police reports.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Young was declared dead at the scene.
Following the shooting, Hopper fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a multi-county chase that ended when his vehicle flipped over. He was taken into custody and has been charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and additional charges in Tipton County.
The District Attorney’s office has requested that Hopper be held without bond. He appeared in court sporting a black eye and pleaded not guilty to the charges. An internal investigation has been opened to review the circumstances of Hopper’s arrest, as cellphone video showed officers appearing to punch him during the apprehension.
Young was described as a “beautiful soul” who had dedicated her life to serving others and was “well on her way to becoming an incredible physician.”
Before attending medical school, Young was an honor student at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Her former teachers remembered her as “driven” and a “shining light” who excelled academically and athletically, particularly in tennis.
A GoFundMe page established to cover Young’s funeral and memorial expenses has raised over $40,000. The community gathered for a candlelight vigil at Critchfield Park’s tennis courts, where Young was remembered for her athletic achievements and academic pursuits.
