A glamorous medical student was shot dead after taking part in a breast cancer charity walk.
Ellie Young, 22, was sitting in her Jeep Wrangler after participating in the breast cancer awareness walks at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee, when her recently ex-boyfriend Jackson Hopper allegedly shot her several times on Saturday.
Witnesses said Hopper allegedly rolled behind her vehicle in a white Honda CRV with temporary Kentucky tags and fired two shots at her car, according to Action news 5.
“I was walking to my car and the young lady got in her Jeep and a man came in a white car and shot her twice,” said witness Monica Bell WREG.
Young then exited her car and Hopper allegedly fired another round as she lay on the ground before fleeing the scene. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The University of Tennessee student and Hopper had recently broken up, the victim’s family told police, according to Action News 5.
Ellie Young, 22, was sitting in her Jeep Wrangler after participating in the breast cancer awareness walks at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee, when her recently ex-boyfriend Jackson Hopper allegedly shot her multiple times
The University of Tennessee student and Hopper (pictured in court Monday) had recently broken up. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder
Hopper was taken into custody after flipping his car during a chase and was seen with a gnarled black eye in court, where he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The 26-year-old also faces charges in Tipton County of reckless driving, aggravated assault, driving against traffic in the roadway, speeding over the speed limit, resisting arrest, disobeying a stop sign, filing a false report, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm while committing dangerous crimes and crimes involving evading arrest, according to Action News 5.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has requested that Hopper be held without bond.
“The murder of Ellie Young in Shelby Farms Park is a heartbreaking tragedy, and my deepest condolences go out to her family and friends,” District Attorney Steve Mulroy wrote in a statement statement.
‘Ms Young’s case underlines the critical need to tackle the widespread problem of domestic and intimate partner violence.’
Young’s sorority sister, Danni Fewell, remembered the young woman as “kind” and “genuine.”
After Young got out of her car, Hopper allegedly shot her again as she lay on the ground. She was pronounced dead at the scene
Hopper (pictured in pajama bottoms) was taken into custody after flipping his car during a chase and was seen in court with a gnarly black eye
The 26-year-old is also charged in Tipton County with reckless driving, aggravated assault, driving against traffic in the roadway, speeding above the speed limit, resisting arrest, ignoring a stop sign, filing a false report and more.
“She was passionate, determined and selfless,” she said, according to Action News 5. “The joy she brought to every room was simply contagious to everyone around her.
“Her bright future as a physician was something she looked forward to for as long as I knew her. She was determined to change the world.
“Her smile was seen and her laugh was heard from more than a mile away.”
Her sororities will hold a candlelight vigil in her honor on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“We are deeply saddened and at a loss for words for the recent passing of our sister, Ellie Young. She was a light in every room she entered. She was kind, smart, humble, sincere and a role model for all of us. There will never be anyone like her again,” Chi Omega-Xi Zeta said.
Young’s sororities will hold a candlelight vigil in her honor on Tuesday at 7 p.m
UT’s Health Science Center, where she studied, also released a statement, writing, “As a community, we want to provide the necessary resources and support to help our students, faculty and staff… Our student leaders and friends of Ellie are planning several gatherings to commemorate their friend.”
A GoFundMe has been started for the funeral costs of the medical student.
‘Ellie was taken from us too soon. A beautiful soul inside and out,” wrote Macey Daniel, who started the fundraiser. “She walked in the sun, and the world is a darker place now without her.”
Hopper is expected back in court on Tuesday.