A man who shot and killed his ex-girlfriend while she took part in a breast cancer charity walk has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to her murder.
Jackson Hopper, 27, admitted to the second-degree murder of Ellie Claire Young, a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Ms Young, 24, was participating in the American Cancer Society's 'Making Strides against Breast Cancer' walk in Memphis in October 2024 when she was shot multiple times in a car park.
Hopper initially faced a first-degree murder charge but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in a deal accepted by the court on Wednesday. The plea was made in cooperation with Ms Young's family, allowing them to 'begin to heal,' said Judge Carlyn Addison.
The sentence of 40 years was handed down just months before Hopper's trial was due to start. He had previously rejected an earlier plea deal. Ms Young's family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $10 million (£7.3 million) in damages.
Hopper faces additional charges related to a police chase immediately after the killing, including aggravated assault, evading arrest, and assault on a first responder. His lawyer, Leslie Ballin, described the case as 'tragic' and said it was one 'you would want to turn back the hands of time on.'
