Nearly 130 guns found at home of Florence shooter

FLORENCE, SC (FOX 46 WJZY) – The Richland County Sheriff’s Office says they found nearly 400 shell casings and more than 126 guns at the home of the Florence, SC man accused of shooting seven police officers, killing one. 

On Tuesday, Sheriff Leon Lott announced that the scene at the home in the Vintage Place community where 74-year-old Frederick Hopkins ambushed law enforcement officers on Wednesday, Oct. 3, has been fully processed. 

The Sheriff said this was one of the largest crime scene’s they have had to deal with, and it required additional resources and manpower to secure. Nine agencies assisted with the operation. 

These agencies collected 390 shell casings from outside of the home, 39 additional casings from inside, and seized more than 126 additional guns. 

RELATED: Father, son arrested following deadly shooting in Florence

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is interviewing more than a dozen law enforcement officers from the Florence County Sheriff’s Department, Florence Police Department and Highway Patrol who were involved in the incident. 

In addition to interviews with Frederick and his son Seth Hopkins, investigators are also speaking with the other individuals who were inside of the home– one adult and two children.

Sheriff Lott is asking community members for their continued prayers for the three Florence County deputies still in the hospital recovering from the shooting.

Two of the officers remain in critical condition while the other has been updated to stable condition. The City of Florence police officer has been transferred to a facility in Georgia.

Sheriff Lott and Chief of Florence also thanked the community for the support and patience demonstrated during this difficult time. The investigation is still ongoing.