WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2018) A gunman in the US state of South Carolina who killed one police officer and injured six others appears to have purchased his arsenal of weapons legally, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said during a press conference on Tuesday.
"We're still doing that, but we believe so," Lott said when asked whether police confirmed Hopkins purchased the guns legally. "We haven't found anything at this point that indicates the guns were illegal guns and had any modifications made to them."
Lott said authorities on Tuesday finished processing the crime scene at the residence of the 74 -year-old shooter, Fred Hopkins.
Authorities have recovered over 390 rounds of shell casings fired by police officers and recovered about 39 shell casings believed to have been fired by Hopkins from inside the home, Lott said.
In addition, Lott said authorities recovered a total of 129 guns from the Hopkins residency. A pistol and two military style assault rifles were seized because investigators believe they were used by Hopkins during the shootout, he added.
Hopkins was a gun enthusiast and frequently practiced his shooting, Lott noted. Hopkins has been charged with one count of murder and six counts of attempted murder in connection to the shooting.
On October 3, Hopkins shot at several Florence County law enforcement officers from his residence, killing Florence Police Officer Sgt. Terrence Carraway and injuring six other officers.
The officers were carrying out a search warrant for Hopkins' adopted son Seth Hopkins, 28, who was suspected of sexually assaulting a minor who was a foster child in the home. Last week, the Richland County Sheriff's Department said Seth Hopkins has been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
