MARKSMAN

Frederick Hopkins: Vietnam Vet Suspected of Shooting Seven Law Enforcement Officers

Frederick Hopkins bragged online about his shooting skills.

A 74-year-old Vietnam veteran suspected of shooting seven law enforcement officers allegedly “ambushed” the cops when they arrived at his home to interview his son “about a sexual assault on a child.” According to the Associated Press, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said three Florence County deputies showed up to interview Frederick Hopkins’ 27-year-old son at about 4 p.m. Wednesday when Hopkins shot them as they were exiting the police car. Four more Florence officers were shot during the two-hour standoff, and one died. Lott says Hopkins was charged with “murder and six counts of attempted murder,” and will be released from the hospital Friday “after suffering a head injury.” Hopkins’ son, Seth, has been charged with “criminal sexual conduct.”

The disabled veteran has reportedly bragged about his gun skills online. Records show he is also a disbarred lawyer and faced a 2014 count of disorderly conduct. In a 2014 Facebook post, he wrote: “I have been shooting competitively since 1984 and lovin’ it. I just love the smell of gunpowder in the mornin.” The slain officer, 52-year-old Sgt. Terrence Carraway, served in the Florence Police Department for 30 years. Two of the six wounded officers were released from the hospital Thursday.

BLUE LIVES

S. Carolina Officer Shot Dead, Six Wounded During Standoff