Follow-up case: Greenville man accused of stabbing K9

The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) released another update this week on a police officer-involved shooting that took place in Greenville County last month. As this outlet first reported, the shooting left one suspect injured — and a Greenville County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) K9 deputy seriously injured after being stabbed.

According to SLED's press release, 51 James Edgar Hopkins of Taylors, SC was charged with Aggravated Violation of the Peace, Cruelty to a Police Dog, and Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon, Monday, June 2, 2024.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 13, 2024. GGSO deputies – along with agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – were attempting to apprehend Hopkins based on several outstanding arrest warrants.

“Officers located Hopkins at a hotel on Wade Hampton Boulevard in Greenville,” the SLED statement said. “Officers attempted to apprehend him outside the hotel. During the encounter, Hopkins was armed with a knife. Officers fired Tasers and a BB gun at Hopkins, who stabbed a GCSO K9 and ran into a nearby Bank of America parking lot. The GCSO deputies discharged their firearms, striking Hopkins.

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Hopkins was transported to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital under a heavy police escort. The GCSO K9 was transported to a veterinary hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Hopkins and the K9 – named “Micky” – survived their injuries.

It's been a tough year for K9s in South Carolina. In October, a SLED K9 – Rico – was shot and killed by a suspect trying to evade capture in another shooting. The crime wave began barely a month after the suspect – 38 years old. Ernest Burbage III – appeared before a notoriously lenient SC circuit court judge Bentley Price for a weapons charge. Rather than lock him up – or refer him to the federal government for prosecution – Price returned him to the streets.

For those of you who are new to South Carolina, SLED investigates police-involved shootings as a matter of protocol in the vast majority of local law enforcement jurisdictions in the Palmetto State – presenting investigative reports to the attorney having jurisdiction over the county or municipality where the shooting occurred. sweated.

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RELATED | OFFICER-INVOLVED FATAL SHOOTING IN FLORENCE COUNTY

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Last month's shooting in Greenville County marked the 16th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina and the second involving the GCSO. Since then, three other incidents have occurred. As of 2023, 43 police officers have been involved in shootings in South Carolina (including three involving the GCSO). This is just below the record of 49 set in 2017 and matched in 2020.

As in all cases, Hopkins is considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until he wishes to pursue some form of allegation as part of a deal plea with prosecutors regarding any of the charges that could be filed. against him.

Hopkins was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center where he is being held $20,000 bind. His case will be handled by the Thirteenth Circuit SC Law Offices. Walt Wilkins.

THE PRESS RELEASE

(SLED)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Jenn Wood is the incomparable research director of FITSNews. She is also a producer for FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated. podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/South Carolina justice. A former private detective with a degree in criminal justice, beware of criminals, Jenn Wood is far from being an average journalist! A thorough researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in the land of FITSNews. Did we mention she's married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Do you have a story idea or advice for Jenn? Email her at [email protected].

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