Doyle Dennis LLP Represents the Family of Student Killed in Raid by College Station Police
Doyle Dennis LLP recently filed a petition to open an investigation into the circumstances that caused the death of Mark Hopkins, a 22-year-old student in College Station, Texas.
On February 8, 2022, officers with the College Station police department executed a search warrant at an off-campus residence occupied by Mark, his girlfriend, and another student. The suit alleges that the warrant was based on an affidavit that falsely claimed there were Venmo transactions between Hopkins and Abraham Escobar, the target of the search warrant who police suspected of being a drug dealer. Escobar was neither an occupant of the home that was the subject of the search warrant, nor was he present at the time of its execution.
The lawsuit alleges that at or around 6:00 a.m., College Station PD used “flash bang” devices to enter the premises. Hopkins and his girlfriend awoke during the commotion and believed burglars had broken into their home. According to Mark’s girlfriend, a witness to the tragic events that morning, they did not hear any knocking or attempt by the raid members to identify themselves as police officers. Fearing for their safety, Mark grabbed his personal shotgun as he instructed his girlfriend to hide in the closet and call 911. After College Station PD forced entry into the couple’s bedroom, Mark’s girlfriend witnessed him fall to the ground after being repeatedly shot at by police officers, according to the lawsuit.
After many months of ignored requests for information by the City of College Station, the Hopkins family retained Aaron W. Perry and Doyle Dennis LLP to uncover the truth of the matter. On October 9, 2023, Doyle Dennis LLP filed a “Rule 202” petition on behalf of the Hopkins family in Brazos County, Texas. The family seeks to gain access to incident reports, investigative documents, and unabridged body camera footage to clarify the circumstances that led to Mark’s untimely end. Additionally, they hope that the investigation will facilitate the transparency necessary to clear Mark Hopkin’s name.
Ignoring safety protocols and basic civil rights can lead to grave consequences. Doyle Dennis LLP strives to hold the individuals involved, as well as the systems that enable those individuals, accountable for their conduct. If you or a family member has been harmed by reckless conduct by police officer or other public official, contact us for a free evaluation of your potential claims.