Fred Hopkins Jr., the man responsible for the 2018 ambush in the Vintage Place neighborhood that killed two law-enforcement officers and injured several others, is set to be sentenced on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to all charges in an Aiken County courtroom and will be sentenced on two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. The plea allows Hopkins to avoid a death sentence.

The trial was scheduled for February of this year, and a trial date for Hopkins was set for February 20. However, the trial was closed to the public and the media. Hopkins appeared in court for a hearing to determine his ability to pay for an attorney. He claimed to have no income and relied solely on social security.

On the anniversary of the ambush, a “Heroes Day” lunch was held to honor Florence County first responders who were involved in the incident. The lunch was organized by the family of Farrah Turner, one of the officers killed in the ambush, and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.

The two fallen officers, Florence Police Sgt. Terrence Carraway and Florence County Sheriff’s Office investigator Farrah Turner, were remembered on the third anniversary of the shooting. Services were held to honor their memory, and attendees were encouraged to wear black and blue in support of law enforcement.

In other related news, Seth Hopkins, the son of Fred Hopkins Jr., pleaded guilty to a sex charge involving a minor. He was sentenced to 20 years, minus time served, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

A mental health evaluation was granted for Fred Hopkins Jr., as he claimed to suffer from PTSD after serving in the Army. He sent letters to a news outlet detailing his symptoms and the judge granted the evaluation order. A gag order was also issued for the case.

Florence Police Sgt. Scott Williamson, who was injured in the shooting, returned home from the hospital after a three-month stay. Additionally, a ceremony was held to remember the victims of the shooting at Francis Marion University.

Darlington Raceway announced that its annual 5K race will be renamed in honor of Sgt. Terrence Carraway, one of the fallen officers. And finally, fallen officers Terrance Carraway and Farrah Turner were inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

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