COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The son of a man accused of shooting several law officers in South Carolina has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child.
Seth Hopkins on Monday admitted to raping a young girl in his home multiple times in 2017 and 2018, news outlets reported. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Several Florence County deputies let Hopkins know they were coming to his father’s home Oct. 3, 2018, to interview him and serve a search warrant as they investigated a possible sexual assault of a minor.
The deputies never made it to the door. Frederick Hopkins began firing from a second-story perch of the massive home with its clear view to the only entrance into the upscale neighborhood, authorities said.
Seven officers were wounded — three Florence County deputies and four city of Florence police officers also ambushed as they tried to come help the deputies when the desperate “officer down” call came over the radio. Florence County Sheriff’s investigator Farrah Turner and Florence Police Sgt. Terrence Carraway were killed.
Frederick Hopkins kept firing to prevent anyone from rescuing the wounded officer for an hour until an armored surplus military vehicle could make it to the scene and protect rescuers from the gunfire, authorities said.
Police said they fired about 400 shots at the elder Hopkins. They said Frederick Hopkins, a Vietnam veteran who earned a sharpshooter badge during his 11 years in the U.S. Army, fired at least 40 rounds.
Frederick Hopkins is charged with two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. He is awaiting trial and prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty.
Seth Hopkins was inside the home as his father fired on officers, authorities said. He has not been charged in connection with the ambush.
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