How murder of Memphis college student led to the arrest of six West Tennessee cops

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested six officers involved in arrest of suspect accused of Shelby Farms murder in October 2024.

The investigation was prompted by the 29th Judicial District Attorney General Danny Goodman for circumstances surrounding allegations of excessive force during the arrest of Jackson Hopper that occurred on October 19, 2024.

The six officers arrested are from three different law enforcement agencies in West Tennessee.

Here’s what to know about the suspect and arrest.

Why was there a search for Jackson Hopper?

On Oct. 19, 2024, a walk in support of the American Cancer Society took place at Shelby Farms when Ellie Young, a 22 year old student from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was shot and killed.

After a lengthy chase, Jackson Hopper, an ex-boyfriend of Young’s, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. In December, Hopper was indicted on first-degree murder and remains in custody and has not been released on bond.

Why were police officers arrested for Jackson Hopper’s arrest?

During the investigation into Hopper’s arrest, TBI agents learned an officer with the Mason Police Department initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle matching the description given by Shelby County law enforcement for Hopper. The driver refused to stop, a pursuit began and deputies from multiple agencies joined the pursuit through three counties before Hopper crashed on Highway 51 in Dyer County.

The arrest sparked an investigation into allegations that the arresting officers used excessive force in detaining Hopper.

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 appeared to be struck while on the ground, per the video.

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.

• 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.

All six officers turned themselves in and were each released on a $25,000 bond.

Sheriff Jeff Box in Dyer County released 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.”

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee police charged with assault in Jackson Hopper’s arrest