Man accused in Illinois State Police Trooper Hopkins’ death indicted on federal charges
READ MORE
An Illinois state trooper killed in East St. Louis
Read the BND’s previous coverage of the killing of Nicholas Hopkins while Illinois State Police served a no-knock warrant in East St. Louis in August 2019.
Expand All
The East St. Louis man accused of killing Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins while he was attempting to serve a search warrant was indicted by a federal grand jury on eight counts Wednesday.
In addition to first-degree murder, Christopher R. Grant, 46, was charged with three counts of distributing crack, one count of maintaining a drug house, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment are related to the August 23, 2019 shooting that led to Hopkins’ death.
“On that devastating day in August, the U.S. Attorney’s office pledged every available resource to support this investigation and to support the men and women of law enforcement. Today’s indictment keeps that promise,” U. S. Attorney Steve D. Weinhoeft said. “We continue to mourn for Nick and his family and we will continue our work to honor his sacrifice”.
The indictment says Grant was using the house on North 42nd Street in East St. Louis to distribute drugs. He “knowingly fired a Glock, Mode 19, 8mm caliber pistol,” the indictment says, as Hopkins and other members of an Illinois State Police SWAT team were supporting the service of a no-knock warrant at the home.
Hopkins was hit by the gun fire and later died at a St. Louis hospital.
Since the shooting, Grant has been held in state custody on first-degree murder charges. His initial appearance and arraignment in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois has not been scheduled, Weinhoeft said.
“Illinois State Police appreciate the steps taken by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney who are working in partnership with the St.Clair County State’s Attorney to ensure that justice is done,” said Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police. “The joint state and federal prosecutions recognize the very real dangers the men and women of law enforcement face every day - perhaps now more than ever.”
The case against Grant is being investigated by Illinois State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Summers is prosecuting the case.
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric also issued a statement on Grant’s federal indictment.
It says: “In August 2019, Mr. Weinhoeft and I stood shoulder to shoulder and pledged that the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the death of Trooper Nick Hopkins would constitute a consolidated effort involving both the U. S. federal government and the State of Illinois. The federal indictment of Christopher Grant by the grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois, places us one step further toward the fulfillment of that pledge. My office is thankful to all assets of every agency involved in this investigation. My office more than appreciates all of the diligent effort put forward by Mr. Weinhoeft and Criminal Chief Ali Summers, who have worked so hard for this moment.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 10:41 AM.
