A 22-year-old medical student lost her life in a tragic shooting shortly after taking part in a breast cancer charity walk.
Ellie Young described as vibrant and passionate about her studies, sat in her Jeep Wrangler following the breast cancer awareness event at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee. Allegedly, her former boyfriend, Jackson Hopper, approached her vehicle in a white Honda CRV with temporary Kentucky tags. Witnesses reported that Hopper fired two shots into her car, ending her life on Saturday, according to Action News 5.
Medical Student Fatally Shot by Ex-Boyfriend After Charity Event
A heartbreaking incident unfolded as a witness, Monica Bell, recounted to WREG: “I was walking towards my car when I saw the young lady getting into her Jeep, and a man in a white car suddenly shot her twice.”
The victim, Ellie Young, a 22-year-old medical student, had just participated in a breast cancer awareness walk in Memphis, Tennessee. After the initial shots, she exited her car, only to be shot again by her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Hopper, as she lay on the ground. Hopper then fled the scene. Young was pronounced dead at the scene.
Read: Who is Jackson Hopper?
The University of Tennessee student had recently ended her relationship with Hopper, according to the victim’s family.
NEW: 22-year-old medical student was shot dead after participating in a breast cancer charity walk
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) October 22, 2024
Ellie Young, 22, was sitting inside her Jeep Wrangler after participating in breast cancer awareness walks at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee
Her ex-boyfriend, Jackson… pic.twitter.com/Dx2qpoAf2O
Ex-Boyfriend Pleads Not Guilty After Deadly Shooting of Medical Student
Jackson Hopper, 26, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after being taken into custody for the fatal shooting of 22-year-old medical student Ellie Young. Hopper was apprehended following a high-speed chase that ended with his car flipping over. Appearing in court with a black eye, Hopper now faces multiple charges beyond murder, including reckless driving, aggravated assault, and felony evading arrest in Tipton County.
The Shelby County District Attorney, Steve Mulroy, requested Hopper be held without bond. In a statement, Mulroy expressed condolences, calling Young’s murder a “heartbreaking tragedy.”
Hopper allegedly shot Young after she had just participated in a breast cancer charity walk at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis.
BREAKING NEWS
— WREG News Channel 3 (@3onyourside) October 20, 2024
WREG has obtained a video of Jackson Hopper's arrest from an eyewitness. He is a suspect in the shooting death of 22-year-old Ellie Young.
Read the corresponding story here: https://t.co/ptqPstgSDk pic.twitter.com/93REQfJ40W
Tragic Death of Ellie Young Sparks Calls to Address Domestic Violence
Miss Ellie Young’s tragic death highlights the urgent need to address domestic and intimate partner violence, said authorities following the fatal shooting at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis.
Her sorority sister, Danni Fewell, remembered Ellie as a compassionate and driven young woman. “She was kind, genuine, and incredibly selfless,” Fewell shared with Action News 5. “Ellie had an infectious joy that lit up every room she entered. Becoming a doctor was her lifelong dream, and she was determined to make a difference in the world.”
Fewell added, “Her smile could be seen, and her laughter could be heard from a mile away.”
Candlelight Vigil to Honor the Memory of Ellie Young, a Beloved Sorority Sister
Ellie Young’s sorority sisters will gather to hold a candlelight vigil in her memory on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to honor her life and legacy.
In a heartfelt statement, Chi Omega-Xi Zeta expressed their grief: “We are devastated and at a loss for words over the recent passing of our sister, Ellie Young. She brightened every room she entered. Ellie was kind, intelligent, humble, and genuine—a true role model to all of us. There will never be another like her.”
University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center Honors Ellie Young with Statement and Support Initiatives
The University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center, where Ellie Young studied, issued a statement following her tragic death, saying, “As a community, we are committed to providing the necessary resources and support to help our students, faculty, and staff through this difficult time. Our student leaders and friends of Ellie are organizing various gatherings to honor her memory.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral expenses for the late medical student. Macey Daniel, who initiated the fundraiser, expressed her sorrow: “Ellie was taken from us too soon. She was a beautiful soul, inside and out. A ray of sunshine, and the world is now a darker place without her.”
The accused, Jackson Hopper is expected to return to court on Tuesday.
