Father, son arrested after shooting in Florence…

A Florence County man is now facing murder and attempted murder charges after he ambushed police, killing one, and injuring six others.

His son was also arrested in connection to the sexual assault that first brought officers to the home in the Vintage Place community on Wednesday. They were attempting to serve a search warrant. 

Frederick Hopkins, 74, was taken into custody today. The ambush was “in place,” according to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. His deputies joined the investigation into the crime on Friday. 

“It makes you think about what could happen at any time without warning,” 

Neighbors are still in shock that Fred Hopkins, one of their own, was waiting to ambush deputies.

His 27-year-old adopted son Seth Hopkins knew they were coming to the home on Ashton Dr. in Florence Wednesday night to interview him about sex crime allegations, according to Sheriff Lott. 

Once the first three Florence county officers arrived on scene, Hopkins shot them, and continued firing at the responding officers who arrived on scene. 

Frederick has now been formally charged with killing Florence Police Officer Terrence Carraway and wounding the six other officers. 

“It’s a bit of a shock, I used to be a firefighter way back when so I hold those emergency services close to my heart, so it’s a bit of a shocker,” 

Seth Hopkins has also been charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct…

“There’s always a stigma this is a nice neighborhood it won’t happen here, but this is proof it can happen anywhere,” 

Police say several children live in the home where the ambush took place. The solicitor tells FOX 46 there was an emergency protective custody hearing in court today for those children. 

In the meantime, the community has been showing their support for law enforcement, with neighbors deliver food and water to deputies working out today.