How the murder of a Memphis college student led to the arrest of six Tennessee cops
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested six officers involved in the arrest of Jackson Hopper, a suspect charged with killing a college student in a Memphis park in October. The arrests follow an investigation into allegations of excessive use of force.
The six officers arrested are from three different law enforcement agencies in West Tennessee.
Here's what to know about the suspect, the officers and the arrests.
Why was there a search for Jackson Hopper?
On Oct. 19, 2024, Ellie Young, a 22 year old student from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was shot and killed after a walk in support of the American Cancer Society took place at Shelby Farms Park.
Witnesses told police a male driver fired two shots into the back of Young's Jeep Wrangler in the parking lot while she was inside. "The victim came out of the Jeep Wrangler and the male suspect fired at least one more shot into the victim as she lay on the ground," the affidavit said.
The suspect then fled the scene. After a lengthy chase, Hopper, a recent ex-boyfriend of Young's, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
In December, Hopper was indicted and remains in custody. Young's family has also sued Hopper and his mother to prevent them from hiding assets to avoid a potential wrongful death payout.
What happened during Jackson Hopper's arrest?
The arrest sparked an investigation into allegations that the arresting officers used excessive force in detaining Hopper.
During the investigation, TBI agents learned an officer with the Mason Police Department initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle matching the description of one driven by Hopper provided by Shelby County law enforcement. The driver refused to stop, a pursuit began and deputies from multiple agencies joined the chase through three counties before Hopper crashed on Highway 51 in Dyer County.
A video of the arrest shows a group of armed law enforcement around Hopper's vehicle, which was flipped over. An officer demanded that Hopper show his hands. Moments later, he was pulled out of the vehicle and officers appeared to strike him while he was on the ground.
Toward the end of the video, Hopper is seen being escorted and placed in the back seat of a patrol car. The incident left him with black eyes.
What are officers accused of in Jackson Hopper arrest?
On Feb. 10, a Dyer County Grand Jury returned indictments charging the officers with a range of offenses including official misconduct, official oppression, assault and tampering with evidence. All six officers turned themselves in and were each released on a $25,000 bond.
Bryan Lane, 37, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office: One count each of Official Misconduct, Official Oppression, and Assault.
Zachary Antle, 32, Mason Police Department: One count each of Official Misconduct, Official Oppression, and Assault.
Dakota Wilkerson, 27, Tipton County Sheriff's Office: One count each of Official Misconduct, Official Oppression, and Assault.
Samuel Chastain, 35, Tipton County Sheriff's Office: One count each of Official Misconduct, Official Oppression, and Assault.
Benjamin Stanifer, 30, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office: One count of Tampering with Evidence.
Matthew Lawler, born 29, Tipton County Sheriff's Office: One count of Tampering with Evidence.
Antle, Chastain, Lane and Wilkerson are accused of assaulting, unlawful mistreating and causing bodily harm to Hopper. The indictment further alleges that Stanifer and Lawler altered or concealed their body-worn cameras on the day of the arrest "with the intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation."
What are police saying?
Multiple Tennessee sheriffs expressed shock and dismay about the arrests. Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley said Hopper tried to run over officers during the high-speed pursuit and drove into opposing traffic toward innocent civilians.
"I am in disbelief and saddened to hear this news," Beasley said in a statement. "These men acted courageously and without hesitation or reservation, put themselves in harms way in the pursuit of justice while pursuing a violent, murder suspect."
Sheriff Jeff Box in Dyer County echoed that sentiment in a statement, saying, "I am saddened today by the indictment of six officers who heroically assisted my deputies in the capture of a man who had just murdered his ex-girlfriend in broad daylight in Shelby County,"
Lauderdale County Sheriff Brian Kelley said officers were disciplined after an internal investigation determined they violated department policy, but no evidence warranting criminal prosecution was found. Kelley said he was "filled with a flood of emotions ranging from confusion to hurt."
"Until proven otherwise, I support all the officers who put their lives on the line against an impossible situation and ask everyone not to jump to judgment based on 60 seconds' worth of video footage," Kelley said.
Contributing: Lucas Finton, Memphis Commercial Appeal
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