FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The accused Florence mass shooter appeared in court on Thursday morning where the solicitor said the state will be seeking the death penalty.
Frederick Hopkins, 74, was served death penalty papers by Florence County Solicitor E.L. Clements III during a hearing that lasted about 15 minutes.
Hopkins faces two murder charges and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the October 2018 ambush shooting of several law enforcement officers in Florence’s Vintage Place neighborhood.
Eight people were shot during the shooting, including seven law enforcement officers. Sgt. Terrence Carraway was killed in the shooting and Inv. Farrah Turner died on Oct. 22.
When deputies attempted to serve a search warrant to Hopkins’ son on the day of the shooting, they were “ambushed without warning,” according to reports. “As soon as they got there, the ambush was in place,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, whose office conducted the investigation.
Three deputies were going to his house to investigate a sexual assault case allegedly involving Hopkins’ 18-year-old adopted son. When they got out of their car, Frederick Hopkins shot them, officials say. Four other police officers were shot while rushing to the scene to help.
Authorities can’t speak about the case right now because of a judge’s gag order.
