Crime
Jackson Hopper Charged with Murder of Cancer Survivor Ellie Young During Shelby Farms Cancer Walk
A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Ellie Claire Young on Saturday at Shelby Farms Park.
Jackson Hopper, the victim’s ex-boyfriend, has been charged with first-degree murder.
The shooting occurred around 12:15 PM in the parking lot of the Visitor Center.
Emergency medical services responded to the scene, but Young was tragically pronounced deceased.
A witness at the scene captured an image of Hopper’s parked white Honda CRV behind the victim’s Jeep at the time of the shooting.
The image confirmed that the vehicle’s Kentucky temporary tags matched those seen on a license plate reader camera at the entrance of Shelby Farms Park.
Following the shooting, Hopper fled the scene, leading to a multi-county high-speed pursuit that involved law enforcement agencies from Shelby County, Tipton County, and Lauderdale County.
The pursuit ended in Dyer County when a deputy performed a PIT maneuver to stop Hopper’s vehicle.
Hopper was taken into custody and transported to a local emergency room for evaluation.
A loaded handgun was found in his vehicle.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit and arrest, including the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Mason Police Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The investigation into the homicide is ongoing.
Authorities have confirmed that the shooting was domestic-related, stemming from a previous relationship between Hopper and Young.
Christian County, Mo. โ Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputyโs family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.