Glamorous medical student, 22, is shot dead after breast cancer charity walk

A glamorous medical student was shot dead after participating in a breast cancer charity walk. 

Ellie Young, 22, was sitting inside 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 up behind her vehicle in a white Honda CRV with temporary Kentucky tags and fired two shots into her car, according to Action News 5. 

‘I was walking towards my car and the young lady was getting in her Jeep and a man came in a white car and shot her twice,’ witness Monica Bell told WREG.  

Young then exited her car and Hopper allegedly fired another round as she lay on the ground before he fled the scene. She was pronounced dead on the scene. 

The University of Tennessee student and Hopper had recently broken up, the victim’s family told deputies, according to Action News 5. 

The University of Tennessee student and Hopper (pictured in court on 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 sporting a gnarly black eye in court, where he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. 

The 26-year-old also faces charges in Tipton County for reckless driving, aggravated assault, driving on the roadway into traffic, speeding 21+ over the speed limit, resisting arrest, disregarding a stop sign, filing a false report, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm in the commission of dangerous felony, and felony evading arrest, according to Action News 5. 

The Shelby County District Attorney has requested Hopper be held without bond.  

‘The murder of Ellie Young at Shelby Farms Park is a heartbreaking tragedy, and my deepest condolences go out to her family and friends,’ DA Steve Mulroy wrote in a statement. 

‘Miss Young’s case underscores the critical need to address the widespread issue of domestic and intimate partner violence.’ 

Young’s sorority sister, Danni Fewell, remembered the young woman as ‘kind’ and ‘genuine.’ 

After Young had exited her car, Hopper allegedly shot at her one more time while she lay on the ground. She was pronounced dead on the scene 

Hopper (pictured in pajama pants) was taken into custody after flipping his car during a chase and was seen sporting a gnarly black eye in court

The 26-year-old also faces charges in Tipton County for reckless driving, aggravated assault, driving on the roadway into traffic, speeding 21+ over the speed limit, resisting arrest, disregarding a stop sign, filing a false report, and more 

‘She was passionate, determined, and she was selfless,’ she said, according to Action News 5. ‘The joy she brought into every room was just contagious to everyone around her. 

‘Her bright future as a doctor 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 over a mile away.’ 

Her sorority sisters will be holding a candlelight vigil in her honor on Tuesday at 7pm. 

‘We are deeply saddened and at a loss of words for the recent passing of our sister, Ellie Young. She was a light in every room she walked in. She was kind, smart, humble, genuine, and a role model to all of us. There will never be another one like her,’ Chi Omega-Xi Zeta said.  

Young’s sorority sisters will be holding a candlelight vigil in her honor on Tuesday at 7pm

UT’s Health Science Center, where she studied, also released a statement, writing: ‘As a community, we are committed to providing the necessary resources and support to help our students, faculty, and staff… Our student leaders and friends of Ellie are planning various gatherings to remember their friend.’ 

A GoFundMe has been started for the medical student’s funeral expenses.  

‘Ellie was taken from us too soon. A beautiful soul inside and out,’ Macey Daniel, who started the fundraiser, wrote. ‘She was walking sunshine, and the world is now a darker place without her.’ 

Hopper is expected back in court on Tuesday.