Officers Face Charges of Excessive Force and Misconduct
Six Tennessee law enforcement officers are scheduled to appear in court next week after being indicted on charges related to the arrest of Jackson Hopper, a murder suspect accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and leading authorities on a dangerous three-county chase. The officers are facing allegations of excessive force, misconduct, and evidence tampering, according to Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman.
The indictments stem from Hopper’s October arrest following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Ellie Young at Shelby Farms Park, a Memphis-area recreational space where Young was attending a cancer awareness event.
Murder Suspect’s Violent Arrest Caught on Camera
Authorities say that after killing Young, Hopper fled the scene, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit before crashing his vehicle in Dyer County. Footage captured by a bystander shows officers repeatedly striking him following the crash, sparking an investigation into their use of force.
Hopper has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and remains in jail without bond. His attorney, Leslie Ballin, has not commented on the charges against the officers.
Officers Face Criminal Charges
The officers charged in the case come from multiple law enforcement agencies. They include Zachary Antle of the Mason Police Department, Bryan Lane and Benjamin Stanifer of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, and Matthew Lawler, Samuel Chastain, and Dakota Wilkerson of the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office.
Antle, Lane, Chastain, and Wilkerson are facing charges of official misconduct, official oppression, and assault, while Stanifer and Lawler have been charged with evidence tampering.
All six officers have turned themselves in and were released on bond. They are set to appear before a judge on February 18.
Law Enforcement Defends Officers’ Actions
Law enforcement officials have defended the officers, insisting they acted in the line of duty while apprehending a dangerous suspect. Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley stated that Hopper posed a severe threat during the chase, attempting to run over officers and driving into oncoming traffic. He credited the officers with taking decisive action to prevent further harm.
“These men acted courageously and without hesitation or reservation, putting themselves in harm’s way in the pursuit of justice while pursuing a violent murder suspect,” Beasley said.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Brian Kelley also expressed support for the officers while acknowledging the grief of Ellie Young’s family. He described the situation as deeply emotional, expressing both confusion and hurt over the indictments.
Legal Defense Teams Push Back Against Charges
Attorneys for the indicted officers are preparing for a fierce legal battle. Mark Donahoe, the lawyer representing Dakota Wilkerson, maintains that his client did nothing inappropriate. Jeff Ward, who represented Samuel Chastain during the investigation, said the officers’ supporters intend to “fight like hell” to defend them in court.
Stanifer’s lawyer declined to comment, while legal representatives for the other three officers have not yet responded to media inquiries.
The trial, set to take place in Dyer County, north of Memphis, is expected to draw significant public and legal scrutiny as it raises questions about law enforcement’s use of force and accountability in high-stakes situations.
