MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The family of Ellie Claire Young has filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the man charged with gunning her down at Shelby Farms before leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase, and his mother.
The lawsuit was filed in Shelby County Circuit Court by Ellie Young’s father, as a representative of the estate, on Nov. 5, 2024, against Jackson Hopper, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend, and Hopper’s mother.
A judge sent the murder charge to the grand jury on Dec. 10 after Hopper waived his preliminary hearing. He remains in the Shelby County Jail without bond.
The lawsuit asks for $10 million in compensatory damages and “punitive damages in an appropriate amount to be determined by a jury.”
Claims of violent behavior
The lawsuit claims that Hopper became aggressive and controlling with Young when she graduated from UT-Martin and made plans to move to Memphis to attend medical school at UTHSC. The family’s suit said that’s when she broke up with him.
When they learned of the “assaultive behavior,” the suit said they inquired about getting a restraining order and a family member contacted Hopper’s mother about their concerns. The suit states that his mother told them that “her son would never hurt anyone and would never hurt Ellie” and that he had moved to Middle Tennessee ad “was getting on with his life.”
The lawsuit claims Hopper’s mother knew of his “prior violent tendencies and lied to Ellie’s family when they expressed concerns that Jackson Hopper was a dangerous threat to Ellie.”
It claims his mother knew he was “physically abusive with at least three with prior girlfriends” and did not tell Young’s family. The suit also claims those other girlfriends “were in fear for their lives after the relationship ended.”
The lawsuit says the family relied on his mother’s word and did not ask for a restraining order. It says had they known, Young would have asked for the order and taken other safety measures. The suit also claims Hopper’s mother did nothing to keep her son away from Young.
Lawsuit’s concerns over Hopper’s funds
The lawsuit states it was filed as this time in order to prevent Hopper from concealing assets or using “recently inherited” funds to “make bond and flee this country to avoid criminal prosecution.”
The lawsuit claims Hopper sold “part or all of his interest” in an inherited Lake County, Tennessee, property for $3 million in April 2024, and transferred “some or all” from the sale to his mother. The suit asks for a court order preventing Hopper and his mother from spending the funds “for anything other than ordinary living expenses” while the case makes its way through the courts.
The lawsuit contends that Hopper used some of those funds to hire attorney Leslie Ballin for his defense.
The shooting and arrest
The shooting happened just after noon on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in the parking lot of the Visitor Center at Shelby Farms. Deputies arrived to find Ellie Claire Young shot several times, lying on the ground next to her Jeep. She died at the scene. Investigators said the Young and Hopper had recently broken up.
Investigators said Hopper took off after the shooting, and his vehicle was later spotted by police in Mason, Tennessee, who, along with Tipton County deputies, began chasing the suspect.
The Tipton County Sheriff said at one point in Covington, Hopper tried to run over a Tipton County Constable while the Constable was deploying stop sticks.
Investigators said the chase continued into Lauderdale and then Dyer County. Authorities said in Dyer, Hopper tried to run over another deputy before a Dyer County deputy crashed into him to stop him as he reportedly continued going the wrong way into oncoming traffic.
Investigators said Hopper fought with deputies as he was arrested, and a gun was later found in his vehicle. Hopper was taken for medical treatment following his arrest, according to law enforcement.
Hopper faces other charges
Hopper is also facing charges in Tipton County for numerous charges, including felony evading, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. He also faces charges in Dyer County for attempted first degree murder against a law enforcement officer, felony evading arrest in a vehicle, reckless driving, and resisting arrest.
The Tipton and Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Offices said both agencies are conducting investigations after they became aware of cell phone video of Hopper’s arrest. Hopper had a black eye and other noticeable scratches as he appeared in court in Shelby County Oct. 21.
Both departments asked anyone to contact them if they were a witness or “were affected by Hopper’s reckless driving.”
