Medical student, 22, allegedly killed execution-style by ex-boyfriend

A promising young woman was allegedly killed execution-style by ex-boyfriend who has since been charged following a dangerous police chase.

A promising medical student was allegedly shot execution-style at a cancer charity walk over the weekend by her ex-boyfriend, who then led police on a dangerous car chase, cops said.

Ellie Claire Young, 22, was fatally gunned down at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Shelby Farms Park in Memphis on Saturday, theNew York Post reports.

Ms Young was inside her Jeep in the carpark when the suspect pulled up in a white Honda CR-V and fired two shots into her car, ABC24 reported.

She got out of the vehicle, and the gunman fired as least one more shot, a coup de grâce, as she lay on the ground, witnesses said.

Ellie Claire Young, 22, was fatally gunned down a cancer charity walk on Saturday. Picture: GoFundMe

Ms Young was a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, FOX13 reported.

“A beautiful soul inside and out, Ellie dedicated her life towards serving others, and was well on her way to becoming an incredible physician,” a tribute on the GoFundMe page set up in Young’s honour said.

“She was walking sunshine, and the world is now a darker place without her,” the statement added.

A witness said the shooting caused chaos at the charity event, which takes place annually.

“I was having a good time and after I got through walking, I’m walking toward my car and these young ladies started running and the man, ‘Pow, pow’ and pulled off,” walk participant Monica Bell told FOX13 of the chaos.

“It sounded like, you know, how a car backfires? That’s what it sounded like but come to find out... they said a man shot his wife in the head,” added another witness.

Ms Young’s former boyfriend Jackson Hopper has since been charged with first-degree murder. Picture: Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

The 26-year-old accused allegedly fled the scene in his car, prompting a police chase. Picture: Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

Ms Young tragically died at the scene.

The suspect, Ms Young’s former boyfriend Jackson Hopper, 26, allegedly fled the scene in the CR-V.

He was pursued during a tense chase by officers.

At one point, Hopper allegedly even tried to run over a constable who was deploying stop sticks, cops said.

Eventually, a police officer deputy crashed into Hopper’s vehicle in order to stop him during the pursuit as he was going the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

Hopper then allegedly fought with the arresting deputies, who found a gun inside his car.

He was taken for medical treatment before being arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Hopper appeared in his booking photo with one of his eyes bruised and swollen shut, though it was not immediately clear if this injury was from his arrest or a separate incident.

Ms Young is believed to have been killed as the result of a domestic dispute. Picture: Facebook/Ellie Young

Ms Young’s killing is believed to have the result of a domestic dispute, though the investigation is still ongoing, according to the New York Post.

Hopper is also facing charges for possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, felony evading, aggravated assault without injury, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, resisting arrest and speeding.

During his first court appearance Monday, Hopper pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge, his lawyer told FOX13.

Meanwhile Ms Young’s GoFundMe had raised over $US35,000 (about $A53,000).

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Medical student, 22, allegedly killed execution-style by ex-boyfriend