An attempted murder charge for Frederick T. Hopkins, Jr. has been upgraded following the death of Investigator Farrah Turner on Monday.
According to a press release from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the attempted murder charge for Hopkins has been upgraded to murder for the death of Turner as a result of the shooting on October 3.
“Sheriff Lott is asking the community to continue to lift Investigator Turner’s family and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office in prayer during this difficult time,” the release says.
According to Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken, Turner died on Monday, weeks after seven law enforcement officers were shot at a home in Florence’s Vintage Place neighborhood on October 3.
“Farrah was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated in a press release on Monday evening. “She dedicated her life to serving the victims of the worst crimes imaginable. Please pray for Farrah’s family, our FCSO family and for our community as we mourn her loss.”
A funeral for Turner will be held on Sunday at the Florence Center and a burial will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens. An FCSO patrol vehicle will also be on display at the Florence Judicial Center as a memorial for Turner.
Eight people were shot during the shooting at 932 Ashton Drive in Florence on October 3, including seven law enforcement officers.
FCSO Investigator Sarah Miller, FCSO Deputy Arie Davis, Florence police officer Brian Hart, Florence police officer Travis Scott, and Florence police officer Scott Williamson were also wounded in the shooting. Sgt. Terrence Carraway was killed in the shooting.
The only law enforcement officer who remains hospitalized from the shooting is Florence Police Officer Scott Williamson. He’s being treated in Atlanta. According to Lt. Bob Drulis with Florence Police, Williamson is doing well and getting better each day. Lt. Drulis says Williamson has a long road ahead but he is in great spirits and is a ‘tough dude’.
Frederick Hopkins, Jr., 74, is now charged with five counts of attempted murder and two counts of murder in relation to the shooting. Seth Hopkins is charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor victim 11 to 14 years of age and criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
